As the “Annual Report of Silk Road Cultural Heritage 2019” has been released on the opening ceremony of Silk Road Week, we’d like to share with you the four top 10 lists in aspects of archaeological discovery, academic research, exhibition, and cultural activity respectively. Today let’s look at the “Top 10 archaeological discoveries on the Silk Road” in the annual report.

1. The Remains of Al Serrian, Saudi Arabia

Located in the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula, on the coast of the Red Sea, the excavation of relics has provided information to reveal the history of Al Serrianand its important role in the ancient maritime Silk Road.

2. The Ruins of Mace Aynak, Afghanistan

The Mace Aynak site is an ancient Buddhist paradise at the cultural crossroads that connects Asia and the Mediterranean. At the same time, the temple site was built on top of the copper vein, preserving rich ancient mining remains. Therefore, it is not only an important Buddhist center but also a mineral center in the commercial network of the Silk Road in Central Asia.

3. The Heishanling Turquoise-Mining Sites, China

Located in the triangle of Hami, Loppo, and Dunhuang near the Silk Road Road, the Heishanling Turquoise-Mining Sites is an ancient mining site of turquoise and provided important clues for exploring the sources of many turquoise stone materials in ancient China.

4. The Ruins of the Ancient City of Piharapur, Bangladesh

The China-Bangladesh archaeological team excavated the Ancient city of Piharapur in Menghiganj District, Dhaka District, Bangladesh from December 2018 to January 2019, which in the past only existed in documents.

5. The Ruins of Krasnaya Rishika, Kyrgyzstan

Located near Kolasnaya Rishka village, Kant Town, Chu Prefecture, Kyrgyzstan, and is the largest ancient city site in the Chu River valley of Kyrgyzstan. It is an important part of the Central Asian section of the Silk Road, and the Chu River Basin within its territory is the main artery of the northern route of the Silk Road.

6. Ming-Tepa City Site, Uzbekistan

The archaeological project of The Ming-Tepa City Site jointly initiated by China and Uzbekistan has opened a new chapter in the study of the history of the western regions on the Silk Road.

7. The Gol Mod 2 Cemetery, Mongolia

In Mongolia's Golemodu no. 2 cemetery, M189 is the oldest, though not the largest. It provides valuable first-hand materials for studying the funeral customs of the Hun nobles and the cultural and material exchanges between the northern grassland and the Central Plains in the Han Dynasty.

8. The Tomb of Devichaskitt, Russia

Known for their bravery and cruelty, the Scythians were active in a vast area from the steppe of southern Russia to Central Asia. They developed complex social structures and unique metal techniques.

9. Tuyuhun Royal Family Murong Zhi Tomb, China

The tomb’s occupant is recorded as Murong Zhi, a member of the Tuyuhun royal family in the Tang dynasty. It is the earliest and best-preserved tomb of the Tuyuhun Royal family found and excavated in China. Excavated relics are important pieces of evidence of the trade between Tang and Tuyuhun.

10. The South China SeaⅠSank, China

"South China SeaⅠ" is the best-preserved ancient shipwreck that China has found so far. It was sunk on the main shipping route from central Guangdong to the West, and also on the maritime Silk Road from ancient China to the Western world. All kinds of unearthed cultural relics not only reflect the superb craftsmanship but also the aesthetic preference of the destinations and the huge demand for oriental luxuries.

(Executive Editor: Ye Ke)