After nearly two years of dedicated research, Tsinghua University has officially unveiled the first batch of findings from its collection of Warring States bamboo slips. This groundbreaking release includes the long-lost "Book of Shangshu," which had been missing for over 2,000 years, as well as valuable insights into the history and geography of the State of Chu. These discoveries are expected to shed light on longstanding academic debates and enrich our understanding of ancient Chinese civilization.
The release features more than 60 scholarly articles, with plans to publish 15 volumes in total. The first volume, titled *"Tsinghua University’s Tibetan Warring States Bamboo Slips (壹)"*, contains nine key texts such as *Yin Zhi*, *Yin Ying*, *Cheng Hao*, *Training Training*, *Nightmare*, *Jinyu*, *Huangmen*, *Jigong*, and *Chuju*. These texts cover a wide range of historical, philosophical, and cultural themes, offering new perspectives on pre-Qin literature.
Li Xueqin, director of the Unearthed Literature Research and Protection Center at Tsinghua University, noted that the bamboo slips were acquired in July 2008, with approximately 2,500 pieces in total. Most of the content consists of classical texts from the Pre-Qin period, many of which have never been seen before. Their academic value is immense, and they will significantly influence fields such as history, archaeology, and ancient philology.
Among the most notable finds is the rediscovery of the *Shangshu* (Book of Documents), a foundational text of Chinese historiography. Once thought lost after the burning of books during the Qin Dynasty, this text reappears in Tsinghua’s collection, offering scholars new material to analyze. Additionally, the *Zhiliang* (Quality Training) text, previously unknown since the Han Dynasty, provides insight into Zhou Wenwang’s final words to his son Wu Wang and mentions legends about the Shang dynasty’s origins.
Tsinghua’s collection also includes rare documents that challenge traditional views of classical texts. For example, some passages in the *Yizhou Shu* (Rites of Zhou) align with the *Shangshu*, suggesting a deeper connection between these works. The *Huangmen* and *Jigong* texts, in particular, hold significant historical value and offer comparisons with ancient inscriptions, helping to refine interpretations of classical manuscripts.
One of the most remarkable texts, *Zhi Ye* (The Night), describes a ritual held by King Wu of Zhou after his victory over the Shang. It includes details about poetry used in the ceremony, which match those found in the bamboo slips. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the origins of certain literary traditions and highlights the cultural richness of the period.
In addition to historical texts, the collection includes the *Chu Ju* (Chu Annals), one of the longest texts in the collection. Its style resembles that of the *Guanzi* (Guanzi), and it provides detailed information about the lineage of the State of Chu and its capital cities. By comparing these records with other archaeological findings, researchers can gain a clearer picture of the geographical and political evolution of the Chu state.
The bamboo slips were written in the Chu Kingdom during the Warring States period and exhibit a unique writing style. Texts like *Jinwei* (Gold Ward), *Humen* (Imperial Gate), and *Gongji* (Sacrifice of the Public) offer new opportunities for studying Chu script and language. Scholars now have the chance to identify and classify previously unknown characters, further enriching our knowledge of ancient Chinese writing systems.
These discoveries not only expand our understanding of pre-Qin history but also open new avenues for interdisciplinary research. As more texts are analyzed and published, the legacy of the Warring States period will continue to unfold, revealing the depth and complexity of ancient Chinese culture.
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