Chinese Pigs ‘Direct Descendants’ of First Domesticated Breeds (Science Centric)
Modern-day Chinese pigs are directly descended from ancient pigs which were the first to be domesticated in the region 10,000 years ago, a new archaeological and genetic study has revealed.
An international team of researchers, led by Durham University (UK) and the China Agricultural University, in Beijing, say their findings suggest a difference between patterns of early domestication and movement of pigs in Europe and parts of East Asia. [continue reading]
Buddhist Culture Relics Damaged in China Earthquake (Sify News)
Rare antiques belonging to the ancient Buddhist culture were destroyed in the devastating earthquake which killed more than 2,000 people in China.
Zen Monastery and Gyegu Monastery, the two key protected relics of the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu in China’s northwest Qinghai province, were seriously damaged in the last week’s 7.1-magnitude quake, said Guo Hong, deputy director of the provincial cultural heritage bureau. [continue reading]
Cultural, Historic Treasures Rescued from Monastery (China Daily)
Using their bare hands, armed police officers recovered thousands of valuable cultural and historic relics from a heavily damaged Tibetan temple in Yushu.
Established more than 700 years ago, the Thrangu Monastery is the biggest temple of the White Sect of Tibetan Buddhism in Yushu and has a huge collection of Buddhist scriptures.
However, the main hall has cracks on all sides and the other buildings have collapsed. [continue reading]
Great Wall Museum of China (CCTV)
Coming to China without visiting the Great Wall is like going to Egypt and missing the pyramids. It’s like not really visiting the ancient civilization.
So, if you’re already here, don’t miss the chance to see some part of this ancient wonder of the world. One place you might consider is at the western end of the immense fortification. Great Wall Museum at the Jiayuguan Pass That’s where you’ll find the Great Wall Museum at the Jiayuguan Pass in Gansu province. [continue reading]
Nara Kicks off Anniversary Celebrations (Japan Times)
Celebrations to mark the 1,300th anniversary of the founding of Nara’s ancient capital of Heijokyo kicked off Saturday morning, the official start of an event officials hope will attract 2.5 million visitors to the historical site, especially restored for the event, and up to 12 million visitors to the prefecture over the span of the next year. [continue reading]
Book Probes How to Retrieve Royal Protocols (The Korea Times)
Currently, some nations are teaming up to retrieve lost relics mostly looted by imperial powers in the past, and Korea is among those seeking the return of stolen property.
Among others, Korea is eager to retrieve the 340 volumes of the “Uigwe” ― the royal protocols from Oegyujanggak (the Royal Library) which were pillaged by French troops on Ganghwa Island in 1866.
The decades-long dispute between Korea and France over the return of the royal documents resurfaced after a French court ruled for their ownership by the National Library of France earlier this year. [continue reading]
Museum Reflects Taiwan’s Ethnic Diversity (Taiwan Today)
In an inconspicuous, three-story ivory-colored building surrounded by heavy traffic in downtown Hsinchu City, memories of a particular part of Taiwan’s history between the 1950s and 1970s are relived through documents and artifacts on display at the Museum of Military Dependents’ Villages. [continue reading]
Gold and Glory of Khitan Fill National Palace Museum (Taiwan Today)
While many cultural elements coming from the nomadic peoples who invaded ancient China from the west and north have enriched Chinese culture, it is the Han Chinese of central China who have written Chinese history.
An exhibition currently running at the National Palace Museum in Taipei—Gold and Glory: The Wonders of Khitan from the Inner Mongolia Museum Collection—provides a chance to see history from another angle. [continue reading]
