description Dunhuang Manuscripts (Stein Collection) Overview
A large cache of Buddhist and other texts in multiple languages sealed in Cave 17 at Dunhuang, China, and discovered in 1900, dating from the 5th to 11th centuries CE; the Stein portion is held at the British Library.
help Dunhuang Manuscripts (Stein Collection) FAQ
Why were the Dunhuang manuscripts hidden inside Cave 17?
The reason the Library Cave was sealed remains debated. Proposed explanations include protection during unrest, storage of sacred but worn texts, and the closure of a monastic repository around the early 11th century.
How did Aurel Stein acquire the Dunhuang manuscripts?
Stein visited the caves in 1907 and negotiated with their caretaker, Wang Yuanlu, for thousands of manuscripts and paintings. Those objects became a major part of the Stein Collection now held by the British Library and other institutions.
Which languages appear in the Stein Collection from Dunhuang?
Chinese and Tibetan are especially prominent, but the cache also preserves texts in Sanskrit, Khotanese, Sogdian, Old Uyghur, and other languages. This range reflects Dunhuang's position on the Silk Roads.
Does the collection include the Diamond Sutra?
Yes. Stein acquired the famous Chinese Diamond Sutra dated 868 CE, often described as the earliest complete dated printed book, and it is held by the British Library.
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