After nearly two years of dedicated research, Tsinghua University has officially unveiled its first batch of findings from the Warring States bamboo slips it acquired. This groundbreaking release includes a long-lost text known as the "Book of Shangshu," which had been missing for over 2,000 years, as well as significant insights into the history and geography of the State of Chu. These discoveries are expected to resolve many longstanding academic debates.
The university has published more than 60 scholarly articles so far and plans to release 15 series of reports in total. The first volume, titled *Tsinghua University’s Tibetan Warring States Bamboo Slips (I)*, features texts such as *Yin Zhi*, *Yin Ying*, *Cheng Hao*, *Training Training*, *Nightmare*, *Jinyu*, *Huangmen*, *Jigong*, and *Chuju*. Each of these texts offers unique historical and cultural value, shedding light on ancient Chinese thought and traditions.
Li Xueqin, director of Tsinghua University's Unearthed Literature Research and Protection Center, explained that the bamboo slips were acquired in July 2008. With approximately 2,500 pieces, including fragments, the collection contains a wealth of pre-Qin era texts, many of which have never been seen before. These materials are of immense academic importance, especially in fields like history, archaeology, and classical philology.
Among the most notable finds is the rediscovery of the *Shangshu* (Book of Documents), one of the most important historical texts of the pre-Qin period. According to legend, Confucius compiled over 100 chapters, but most were lost during the Qin Dynasty. Only 28 survived through the Han Dynasty, known as the "Modern Book of Shangshu." Later, an "Ancient Book of Shangshu" was discovered, containing 16 additional chapters, but it too was eventually lost. Tsinghua’s discovery marks the first time such texts have been found in over two millennia.
Another remarkable text, *Zhi Night*, details a ceremonial drinking event held by King Wu of Zhou after his victory over the Shang Dynasty. It names several key figures, including Zhou Gong and Bi Gong, and references poems that match those found in the bamboo slips. This text helps clarify historical accounts from classical sources like the *Book of Rites* and *Records of the Grand Historian*.
In addition, the *Chu Ju* (Treatise on Chu) stands out as the longest text in the collection, spanning nearly half a meter. Its style resembles that of *The World* (a classic text from the Warring States period). It provides detailed information about the lineage of the Chu state and its capital cities, tracing back to legendary ancestors and offering valuable clues for the study of Chu history and archaeology.
The Warring States bamboo slips also include texts like *Gold Ward*, *Imperial Gate*, and *Sacrifice of the Public*, which can be compared with other classical works. These materials offer new insights into the evolution of Chu script and contribute significantly to the understanding of ancient Chinese writing systems.
Overall, this discovery not only enriches our knowledge of ancient Chinese civilization but also opens new avenues for interdisciplinary research, helping scholars piece together the past with greater accuracy and depth.
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