2 replies to this topic

[DaMo]

http://news.xinhuane...ent_4937457.htm

New Evidence suggests longer paper making history in China

www.chinaview.cn 2006-08-08 23:58:43

BEIJING, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- A 2,000-year-old piece of paper inscribed with legible handwriting has been found in Gansu Province, suggesting China's paper-making and handwriting history are older than previously thought.

The 10 square centimeter piece of paper, made from linen fibers, was found during restoration of an ancient garrison near the Yumen Pass at Dunhuang in northwest China. The garrison was in use during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-25 AD), a report in the Beijing-based Guangming Daily said.

Experts say so far over 20 ancient Chinese characters on the paper have been identified, and that the piece of paper was likely part of a letter.

"The paper was made in eight BC, more than 100 years ahead of Cai Lun who used to be widely considered the inventor of paper-making process in China. It also shows that the ancient Chinese have been writing on paper for much longer than we thought," said Fu Licheng, curator of the Dunhuang Museum.

[...]

[DaMo]

I found it quite interesting that the oldest found examples of paper come from the Northwest during the Xi Han dynasty:

http://www.chinacult...ntent_70170.htm

[fcharton]

I found it quite interesting that the oldest found examples of paper come from the Northwest during the Xi Han dynasty:

As for the Northwest, could it be just because the climate there gives paper a chance to be preserved over such long periods of time, whereas paper in other regions would probably have been degraded long ago due to humidity?