Professor in Silk Road Studies at UEA working on the Nara to Norwich project (NaratoNorwich.org) and, thanks to a Leverhulme Emertius Fellowship, on a history of the Taklamakan kingdom of Khotan —among many other projects. My research is informed by 25 years as a curator at the British Library, several exhibitions and my contact with colleagues and collections of archaeological artefacts worldwide. Through collaborations with archaeologists in the PRC, I have also been able to visit, study and document many of the archaeological sites in the Taklamakan, Lop and Gobi deserts. Historical archaeology, art history and material culture are essential elements of my scholarship. The Nara to Norwich project considers the arrival of Buddhism in Korea and Japan and of Christinanity in the British Isles and Scandanavia.I also retain an interest in the history of censorship and forgeries in China and in current affairs, particularly human rights and the changing narratives of the Silk Road and cultural heritage. PS more papers available for download on researchgate.com.
In his 1919 essay on alfalfa, Bernard Laufer identified the need for suitable fodder to help with... more In his 1919 essay on alfalfa, Bernard Laufer identified the need for suitable fodder to help with breeding from the fine horses acquired from central Asia as the motivation behind the reported introduction of this crop from the Iranian plateau to China in 126 BC. Since then, the domestication of horse and alfalfa and the acquisition, breeding and use of horses in China have been the subject of many articles. The importance of the horse in Silk Road trade and economies has also been much discussed. Several of these have shown that, despite the introduction of this specialised fodder for horses, horse breeding remained unsuccessful throughout much of China’s history and had been largely abandoned by the modern era. What Laufer could not have known in 1919 was that horse breeding in central China might well fail, not because of lack of suitable fodder but because of China’s selenium deficient soil. Despite this discovery in the mid-twentieth century, surprisingly few scholars have considered the role of selenium in the history of horse breeding. Here I review the literature, concentrating on the period up to the Tang.
Bulletin of the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, 2020
This paper explores the history of the concept of the 'Silk Road' and its place in debate on Worl... more This paper explores the history of the concept of the 'Silk Road' and its place in debate on World Heritage since the foundation of UNESCO, concentrating on the important role of Japan in the early decades. It then looks at the influence of the People's Republic of China and its Belt Road Initiative and the geographical expansion of areas considered to be part of 'the Silk Road'.
There has been a long tradition of imitation in the calligraphic and painting traditions in East ... more There has been a long tradition of imitation in the calligraphic and painting traditions in East Asia but, it is arguable, the history of forgeries is just as long. And sometimes it seems that the same masters who created some of the finest works of art, were also teasing their audiences – and the market – by creating forgeries. Two thousand years ago a cache of 'ancient manuscripts' found in the wall of Confucius's family home gave rise to an acrimonious debate among scholars over their genuineness which lasted for over a century and defined much of Chinese orthodoxy for the next millennium. The discovery of numerous caches of ancient manuscripts along the Eastern Silk Road in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, most notably Dunhuang, has again raised the debate of forgeries among scholars and, despite the scientific advances of the last two millennium, the matter is not yet resolved. This paper will discuss these two examples of forged texts in China and the way scholars have approached them to show the similarities and differences between the East Asian and other traditions of forgeries.
This paper discuss the official decree of 835 forbidding the private printing and possession of a... more This paper discuss the official decree of 835 forbidding the private printing and possession of almanacs in light of the ninth-century printed almanacs discovered from the Library cave at Dunhuang.
Suzanne Akbari and Amilcare A. Iannucci (eds.), Marco Polo and the Encounter of East and West (Papers from a conference held at University of Toronto Humanities Centre, May 2002), Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2008.
In this paper I will argue that we cannot understand Central Asian history if we continue to talk... more In this paper I will argue that we cannot understand Central Asian history if we continue to talk in terms of an encounter between east and west. East and west is the expression of a dichotomous model which is fundamental to much modern historiography of both China and Central Asia. In terms of contemporary Chinese history, it is seen in the ubiquitous use of Han versus non-Han by both Chinese and Western historians and journalists which perpetuates a misleading homogenous model of Chinese or ‘Han’ history. In terms of Central Asia, it is seen in the prevalent discussion of sedentary versus nomad or civilised versus barbarian. The pitfalls of dichotomous thinking are demonstrated by reaction to the discovery of the Shu finds in what is now south-western China and European mummies in what is now western China. Both were hailed as astonishing because they did not fit the dichotomous model. This paper argues that instead of trying to shoehorn such data into an inappropriate dichotomous model, we should reject the model as too limited and find new ones which accommodate and help us better understand and analyze these complex data. This paper will therefore argue that we need a new conceptual approach to world history, especially now that we are starting to realise, belatedly, the importance of Central Asia.
Central Asia has too often be categorized in historiography as a land in between and thus defined... more Central Asia has too often be categorized in historiography as a land in between and thus defined by the civilizations on its borders. It has fallen between the dichotomous models offered by many historians: nomads versus sedentary; civilized versus barbarian; east versus west, and historians have struggled to find a coherent historical narrative. As more scholars today become concerned with global history, many Western scholars are seeking an alternative to their Eurocentric viewpoint. However, there is a risk that this will simply be replaced by the Sinocentric narrative, just as misleading, and also failing to give Central Asia its own voice. With its understanding of Buddhism and its historical links with the region, could Indian scholarship offer a new approach or is the Indocentric viewpoint equally misleading?
Following the publications of Stein, Pelliot and others resulting from their visits to the Dunhua... more Following the publications of Stein, Pelliot and others resulting from their visits to the Dunhuang Mogao caves in the early twentieth century the caves became more widely known and intrepid travellers, some living in China and some coming from abroad, started trying to visit the site. Some took cameras and, despite the difficult conditions, managed to make a photographic record of their visits. This article briefly introduces some of these travellers, their photographs and the recent work done by IDP on making these more accessible to scholars worldwide.
When Aurel Stein arrived in Lahore in 1888 it was following several decades of archaeological ‘re... more When Aurel Stein arrived in Lahore in 1888 it was following several decades of archaeological ‘rediscovery’ of Buddhism in the sub-continent, the sites of the historical Buddha, such as his birthplace and first lecture, having been identified in part owing to the writings of a 7th century Chinese monk, Xuanzang. Stein set his archaeological goals further afield, on the ancient Silk Road, also travelled and described by Xuanzang on route to India and, during his first three Central Asian expeditions (1900-1916) consulted Xiyu-ji frequently to locate and identify ancient sites in the Taklamakan. Working in the field only increased his respect for the pilgrim monk. Xiyu-ji has been influential in many fields, including literature and myth – but In this paper Dr Whitfield will consider its influence and importance on Silk Road archaeology.
An updated paper of 'Stein and Oldenburg' including transcriptions of Stein's letters. Published ... more An updated paper of 'Stein and Oldenburg' including transcriptions of Stein's letters. Published in St Petersburg, 2016. Oldenburg was part of a close network of pan-European scholars interested in Asia and exploration. This paper discusses Oldenburg’s correspondence with scholars based in Britain, including Cecil Bendall and F. W. Thomas but concentrating on M. Aurel Stein. It follows on from previous papers, by the author and by Wang Jiqing, adding to the these by considering the Oldenburg correspondence in the archives of the St Petersburg Branch of the Academy of Sciences. It shows that the relationships moved beyond the professional and scholarly and that, although rarely meeting, these scholars became friends. It also points out the high regard in which both Oldenburg and the Russian Academy of Sciences were held and their importance for furthering scholarship and knowledge in this field.
Popova, Irina (ed.), (papers from a conference in St Petersburg), St Petersburg forthcoming.
Oldenburg was part of a close network of pan-European scholars interested in Asia and exploration... more Oldenburg was part of a close network of pan-European scholars interested in Asia and exploration. This paper discusses Oldenburg’s correspondence with scholars based in Britain, including Cecil Bendall and F. W. Thomas but concentrating on M. Aurel Stein. It follows on from previous papers, by the author and by Wang Jiqing, adding to the these by considering the Oldenburg correspondence in the archives of the St Petersburg Branch of the Academy of Sciences. It shows that the relationships moved beyond the professional and scholarly and that, although rarely meeting, these scholars became friends. It also points out the high regard in which both Oldenburg and the Russian Academy of Sciences were held and their importance for furthering scholarship and knowledge in this field.
Irina Popova (ed.), Caves of a Thousand Buddhas. Russian Expeditions to Central Asia at the end of XIX - Beginning of XX centuries (Catalogue of an exhibition at the Hermitage to mark the 190th anniversary of the Asiatic Museum, Institute of Oriental Manuscripts). St. Petersburg: 2008.
In his 1919 essay on alfalfa, Bernard Laufer identified the need for suitable fodder to help with... more In his 1919 essay on alfalfa, Bernard Laufer identified the need for suitable fodder to help with breeding from the fine horses acquired from central Asia as the motivation behind the reported introduction of this crop from the Iranian plateau to China in 126 BC. Since then, the domestication of horse and alfalfa and the acquisition, breeding and use of horses in China have been the subject of many articles. The importance of the horse in Silk Road trade and economies has also been much discussed. Several of these have shown that, despite the introduction of this specialised fodder for horses, horse breeding remained unsuccessful throughout much of China’s history and had been largely abandoned by the modern era. What Laufer could not have known in 1919 was that horse breeding in central China might well fail, not because of lack of suitable fodder but because of China’s selenium deficient soil. Despite this discovery in the mid-twentieth century, surprisingly few scholars have considered the role of selenium in the history of horse breeding. Here I review the literature, concentrating on the period up to the Tang.
Bulletin of the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, 2020
This paper explores the history of the concept of the 'Silk Road' and its place in debate on Worl... more This paper explores the history of the concept of the 'Silk Road' and its place in debate on World Heritage since the foundation of UNESCO, concentrating on the important role of Japan in the early decades. It then looks at the influence of the People's Republic of China and its Belt Road Initiative and the geographical expansion of areas considered to be part of 'the Silk Road'.
There has been a long tradition of imitation in the calligraphic and painting traditions in East ... more There has been a long tradition of imitation in the calligraphic and painting traditions in East Asia but, it is arguable, the history of forgeries is just as long. And sometimes it seems that the same masters who created some of the finest works of art, were also teasing their audiences – and the market – by creating forgeries. Two thousand years ago a cache of 'ancient manuscripts' found in the wall of Confucius's family home gave rise to an acrimonious debate among scholars over their genuineness which lasted for over a century and defined much of Chinese orthodoxy for the next millennium. The discovery of numerous caches of ancient manuscripts along the Eastern Silk Road in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, most notably Dunhuang, has again raised the debate of forgeries among scholars and, despite the scientific advances of the last two millennium, the matter is not yet resolved. This paper will discuss these two examples of forged texts in China and the way scholars have approached them to show the similarities and differences between the East Asian and other traditions of forgeries.
This paper discuss the official decree of 835 forbidding the private printing and possession of a... more This paper discuss the official decree of 835 forbidding the private printing and possession of almanacs in light of the ninth-century printed almanacs discovered from the Library cave at Dunhuang.
Suzanne Akbari and Amilcare A. Iannucci (eds.), Marco Polo and the Encounter of East and West (Papers from a conference held at University of Toronto Humanities Centre, May 2002), Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2008.
In this paper I will argue that we cannot understand Central Asian history if we continue to talk... more In this paper I will argue that we cannot understand Central Asian history if we continue to talk in terms of an encounter between east and west. East and west is the expression of a dichotomous model which is fundamental to much modern historiography of both China and Central Asia. In terms of contemporary Chinese history, it is seen in the ubiquitous use of Han versus non-Han by both Chinese and Western historians and journalists which perpetuates a misleading homogenous model of Chinese or ‘Han’ history. In terms of Central Asia, it is seen in the prevalent discussion of sedentary versus nomad or civilised versus barbarian. The pitfalls of dichotomous thinking are demonstrated by reaction to the discovery of the Shu finds in what is now south-western China and European mummies in what is now western China. Both were hailed as astonishing because they did not fit the dichotomous model. This paper argues that instead of trying to shoehorn such data into an inappropriate dichotomous model, we should reject the model as too limited and find new ones which accommodate and help us better understand and analyze these complex data. This paper will therefore argue that we need a new conceptual approach to world history, especially now that we are starting to realise, belatedly, the importance of Central Asia.
Central Asia has too often be categorized in historiography as a land in between and thus defined... more Central Asia has too often be categorized in historiography as a land in between and thus defined by the civilizations on its borders. It has fallen between the dichotomous models offered by many historians: nomads versus sedentary; civilized versus barbarian; east versus west, and historians have struggled to find a coherent historical narrative. As more scholars today become concerned with global history, many Western scholars are seeking an alternative to their Eurocentric viewpoint. However, there is a risk that this will simply be replaced by the Sinocentric narrative, just as misleading, and also failing to give Central Asia its own voice. With its understanding of Buddhism and its historical links with the region, could Indian scholarship offer a new approach or is the Indocentric viewpoint equally misleading?
Following the publications of Stein, Pelliot and others resulting from their visits to the Dunhua... more Following the publications of Stein, Pelliot and others resulting from their visits to the Dunhuang Mogao caves in the early twentieth century the caves became more widely known and intrepid travellers, some living in China and some coming from abroad, started trying to visit the site. Some took cameras and, despite the difficult conditions, managed to make a photographic record of their visits. This article briefly introduces some of these travellers, their photographs and the recent work done by IDP on making these more accessible to scholars worldwide.
When Aurel Stein arrived in Lahore in 1888 it was following several decades of archaeological ‘re... more When Aurel Stein arrived in Lahore in 1888 it was following several decades of archaeological ‘rediscovery’ of Buddhism in the sub-continent, the sites of the historical Buddha, such as his birthplace and first lecture, having been identified in part owing to the writings of a 7th century Chinese monk, Xuanzang. Stein set his archaeological goals further afield, on the ancient Silk Road, also travelled and described by Xuanzang on route to India and, during his first three Central Asian expeditions (1900-1916) consulted Xiyu-ji frequently to locate and identify ancient sites in the Taklamakan. Working in the field only increased his respect for the pilgrim monk. Xiyu-ji has been influential in many fields, including literature and myth – but In this paper Dr Whitfield will consider its influence and importance on Silk Road archaeology.
An updated paper of 'Stein and Oldenburg' including transcriptions of Stein's letters. Published ... more An updated paper of 'Stein and Oldenburg' including transcriptions of Stein's letters. Published in St Petersburg, 2016. Oldenburg was part of a close network of pan-European scholars interested in Asia and exploration. This paper discusses Oldenburg’s correspondence with scholars based in Britain, including Cecil Bendall and F. W. Thomas but concentrating on M. Aurel Stein. It follows on from previous papers, by the author and by Wang Jiqing, adding to the these by considering the Oldenburg correspondence in the archives of the St Petersburg Branch of the Academy of Sciences. It shows that the relationships moved beyond the professional and scholarly and that, although rarely meeting, these scholars became friends. It also points out the high regard in which both Oldenburg and the Russian Academy of Sciences were held and their importance for furthering scholarship and knowledge in this field.
Popova, Irina (ed.), (papers from a conference in St Petersburg), St Petersburg forthcoming.
Oldenburg was part of a close network of pan-European scholars interested in Asia and exploration... more Oldenburg was part of a close network of pan-European scholars interested in Asia and exploration. This paper discusses Oldenburg’s correspondence with scholars based in Britain, including Cecil Bendall and F. W. Thomas but concentrating on M. Aurel Stein. It follows on from previous papers, by the author and by Wang Jiqing, adding to the these by considering the Oldenburg correspondence in the archives of the St Petersburg Branch of the Academy of Sciences. It shows that the relationships moved beyond the professional and scholarly and that, although rarely meeting, these scholars became friends. It also points out the high regard in which both Oldenburg and the Russian Academy of Sciences were held and their importance for furthering scholarship and knowledge in this field.
Irina Popova (ed.), Caves of a Thousand Buddhas. Russian Expeditions to Central Asia at the end of XIX - Beginning of XX centuries (Catalogue of an exhibition at the Hermitage to mark the 190th anniversary of the Asiatic Museum, Institute of Oriental Manuscripts). St. Petersburg: 2008.
Silk, Slaves, and Stupas tells the stories of ten very different objects, considering their inter... more Silk, Slaves, and Stupas tells the stories of ten very different objects, considering their interaction with the peoples and cultures of the Silk Road—those who made them, carried them, received them, used them, sold them, worshipped them, and, in more recent times, bought them, conserved them, and curated them. From a delicate pair of earrings from a steppe tomb to a massive stupa deep in Central Asia, a hoard of Kushan coins stored in an Ethiopian monastery to a Hellenistic glass bowl from a southern Chinese tomb, and a fragment of Byzantine silk wrapping the bones of a French saint to a Bactrian ewer depicting episodes from the Trojan War, these objects show us something of the cultural diversity and interaction along these trading routes of Afro-Eurasia.
... | Ayuda. La vida en la ruta de la seda. Información general. Autores: Susan Whitfield; Editor... more ... | Ayuda. La vida en la ruta de la seda. Información general. Autores: Susan Whitfield; Editores: Barcelona : Paidós, 2000; Año de publicación: 2000; País: España; Idioma: Español; ISBN : 84-493-0961-1; ¿En qué Biblioteca Universitaria española puedo encontrar este libro? ...
Front cover: A king on horseback; from a mural illustrating a Buddhist parable about the laws of ... more Front cover: A king on horseback; from a mural illustrating a Buddhist parable about the laws of karma (see PP-56-57)- Cave 257, Northern Wei dynasty. Photo by Lois Conner, 199$ Back cover: Exterior view of Cave 96; and Buddha images from Cave 390. Photos by Dusan ...
AUREL STEIN ON THE SILK ROAD Hie Silk Road was an extensive network of mutes Unking the great cit... more AUREL STEIN ON THE SILK ROAD Hie Silk Road was an extensive network of mutes Unking the great cities of Eurasia, stretching from the shores or the Mediterranean to the Chinese capital. Chang'an. For ovi thousand years, it was not merely a trade route hui a conduit ...
The International Dunhuang Project (IDP), founded in late 1993, is a collaborative endeavour to e... more The International Dunhuang Project (IDP), founded in late 1993, is a collaborative endeavour to ensure the best preservation of, and increased access to, the Dunhuang documents and other artefacts from the eastern Silk Road. This paper, after introducing the history of the documents, will discuss some of the lessons learned by IDP in the course of development of its Interactive Web Database (http://idp.bl.uk).
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Oldenburg was part of a close network of pan-European scholars interested in Asia and exploration. This paper discusses Oldenburg’s correspondence with scholars based in Britain, including Cecil Bendall and F. W. Thomas but concentrating on M. Aurel Stein. It follows on from previous papers, by the author and by Wang Jiqing, adding to the these by considering the Oldenburg correspondence in the archives of the St Petersburg Branch of the Academy of Sciences. It shows that the relationships moved beyond the professional and scholarly and that, although rarely meeting, these scholars became friends. It also points out the high regard in which both Oldenburg and the Russian Academy of Sciences were held and their importance for furthering scholarship and knowledge in this field.
Oldenburg was part of a close network of pan-European scholars interested in Asia and exploration. This paper discusses Oldenburg’s correspondence with scholars based in Britain, including Cecil Bendall and F. W. Thomas but concentrating on M. Aurel Stein. It follows on from previous papers, by the author and by Wang Jiqing, adding to the these by considering the Oldenburg correspondence in the archives of the St Petersburg Branch of the Academy of Sciences. It shows that the relationships moved beyond the professional and scholarly and that, although rarely meeting, these scholars became friends. It also points out the high regard in which both Oldenburg and the Russian Academy of Sciences were held and their importance for furthering scholarship and knowledge in this field.