Feel the cultural imprint of the Millennium Grotto
The Xumi Mountain Grottoes, located at the southern foot of Xumi Mountain in Guyuan City, Ningxia, have a history of 1,500 years. It has more than one hundred caves and is known as "Ningxia Dunhuang".
Standing on Mount Xumi, at a glance, the grottoes, Buddha statues, temples, ancient trees, Danxia and strange stones are all integrated into one, unique and beautiful.
Who would have thought that a few decades ago, this place was still a little-known barren hills and ridges, and now it has become a famous historical and cultural scenic spot.
This change is closely related to the ten-year unremitting efforts of the archaeologists.
Recently, at Zhejiang University, "Xumishan Grottoes Archaeological Report·Yuanguang Temple Area" was released.
This fruitful achievement, which lasted 8 years, was co-edited by the Ningxia Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Zhejiang University Cultural Heritage Research Institute and Xumishan Grottoes Cultural Relic Research Institute, and published by Cultural Relics Publishing House.
It records the fruitful results of the archaeological investigation of the Xumishan Grottoes, provides brand new and comprehensive information about an important group of caves in northwest my country, and displays the millennia-old grotto culture to the public.
As famous as the famous Dunhuang and Yungang Grottoes at home and abroad
From the 1950s to the present, Xumishan Grottoes have conducted three large-scale investigations in succession, during which numerous archaeological research activities of different forms have been carried out.
This is an extremely arduous process. The winds and rains, the blue ray of roads, condensed the efforts of the archaeologists of New China.
The famous Chinese archaeologist Su Bai is the promoter and leader of the Xumishan Grottoes archaeological activities.
From 1984 to 2000, he visited the Xumishan Grottoes four times.
"It is the common long-cherished wish of several generations of archaeologists represented by Mr. Su Bai to unearth the treasures of the Xumishan Grottoes as soon as possible," said a researcher from the Ningxia Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology.
"In addition to all the members of the Xumishan Grottoes archeological team, this report also absorbed the contributions of field archaeology experts in Yungang, Longmen, Kizil, Maijishan, Dazu and other caves. Guidance from museum experts.” said Li Zhirong, deputy dean of the Institute of Cultural Heritage of Zhejiang University and one of the leaders of the Xumishan archaeological project.
my country is the country with the largest number of cave temples and the largest historical span in the world. As of 2020, there are more than 2,000 cave temples.
Among so many cultural heritages of grottoes, why have generations of archaeologists in our country have a special liking for the Xumishan Grottoes, and why do they do their best?
According to experts, the geographic location of Xumishan Grottoes is extremely important. Since ancient times, it has been a transportation hub and strategic location from the Central Plains to the Hexi Corridor and the north and south of the desert.
After the opening of the Silk Road, this place became the only place to pass through the northern part of the east section of the Silk Road.
Accessible and convenient geographical conditions have made it possible to form the largest Buddhist temple complex in the northwest region, and it occupies an important position in the development of my country's grotto culture.
There are more than 160 caves in the Xumishan Grotto Art Treasury, with more than 1,000 statues scattered on eight mountain peaks that stretch for two kilometers, forming a peculiar layout of several peaks, changing mountain shapes, serene winding paths, and clusters of opposite sceneries. , Very spectacular.
Although the landform is not as tall and steep as the Three Mountains and Five Sacred Mountains, the stone statue here not only has a variety of shapes, but also wins with its unique and exquisite stone carving art.
This makes the Xumishan Grottoes one of the ten largest grottoes in ancient China. It is as famous as the famous caves of Dunhuang, Yungang, Longmen, Maijishan, Datong, Kizil, and Yulin. It can be called a treasure of ancient Chinese cultural heritage.
The most striking thing is the Maitreya Sitting Buddha at the entrance of Mount Xumi.
This Buddha statue, commonly known as the Great Buddha Building, was excavated in the third year of Xuanzong Middle School of the Tang Dynasty. It is the largest grotto of Mount Xumi, which is 20.6 meters high and becomes the symbol of Mount Xumi.
It is carved in a horseshoe-shaped grotto, well-proportioned, dressed in a robe, face like a full moon, earlobe shoulders, and a solemn and magnificent look.
This giant Buddha is taller than the largest seated Buddha in Cave 19 in Yungang Grottoes and Lushena Buddha in Fengxian Temple in Longmen Grottoes. It is one of the largest statues in the country.
The statue of "One Buddha and Two Bodhisattvas" here is a boutique sculpture of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, which is rare in the world.
Every page tells the story of a thousand years
Archaeological reports have always been the focus and difficulty of archaeological research and cultural relic protection.
Sun Yingmin, director of the Grotto Professional Committee of the China Association for the Protection of Historic Sites and Sites, said: “Archaeology is an open subject that integrates multiple disciplines. The archeology and research of cave temples involves history, archeology, architectural history, philosophy, religious history, and art history. Many fields, such as philology, ancient philology, and so on, require the collaboration of all parties."
Regarding the expected results of this investigation and research, the scholars set such a goal: "Publish an objective, faithful, and complete archaeological report that records comprehensive information about the Xumishan Grottoes, and provide the academic community with reliable information including massive digital information. Based on the first-hand information, the Xumishan Grottoes database will be established."
According to researchers from the Ningxia Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, the Yuanguang Temple area is only one-fifth of the Xumishan Grottoes. The remaining four-fifths of the collection has been completed. The next step is to compile a report.
This majestic archaeological report is amazing, and every page tells a thousand-year story.
According to the report, Yuanguang Temple is the third peak of Mount Xumi, located between the mountainside of Mount Xumi, with a highest elevation of 1811.05 meters.
There are currently 14 caves in the Yuanguang Temple area. The 45th and 46th caves are located on the second floor of the main hall. They are the most magnificent and magnificent caves in the Yuanguang Temple and the caves with the largest number of existing statues in Mount Xume.
In particular, Cave 45 occupies nearly half of the "Xumishan Grottoes Archaeological Report·Yuanguang Temple Area", which shows its important position.
Cave 45 is a grand cave with a total depth of 6 meters and a ceiling height of 4.1 meters. It is a flat square, four-slope pagoda temple cave, in which a central tower with a side width of 3 meters stands directly on the top of the tower.
Although it has experienced wind erosion for thousands of years, cave 45 has completely preserved more than 40 statues ranging from 1.8 meters to 2.5 meters.
These statues are precious works of art studying the statues of the Northern Dynasties.
In the report, there is a dazzling array of fine art works like this, all of which are the original works since the grotto was excavated, and they are very precious.
"The archaeological investigation and excavation of the cave temple and the compilation of the report are not only the basis of the study of the cave temple, but also inject rich information into the research in different fields." Sun Yingmin said.
This is an encyclopedia that records the past and current situation of the archaeological site of the Yuanguang Temple Grottoes. It is also an exquisite picture scroll showing the superb carving art of the Yuanguang Temple Grottoes in a panoramic view. It is also an exhaustive view of the Yuanguang Temple Grottoes for researchers and visitors. Guide book of information.
Grotto archeology and computer are not simple 1+1
Full application of digital technology is the biggest feature of Xumishan Grottoes archeology and this report.
"This cave temple archaeological report insists on the use of archaeological research methods from beginning to end, especially the clever use of digital surveying and surveying techniques, which has greatly improved the surveying and mapping capabilities and accuracy of cave archeology, and has done all the repairs and repairs one by one. Detailed records." Song Xinchao, deputy director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage commented.
After inspecting Yungang Grottoes, Liang Sicheng sighed and said: "From the posture and clothing of the sculpture, one can intuitively feel the mark of the blending of Chinese and foreign civilizations."
During the expedition to Mount Xumi, can you combine grotto archeology and computer technology so that you can be immersive without going to the scene?
The Xumishan archaeological team made active explorations.
"The grotto archeology and computer are definitely not simply 1+1. In archaeological research, how can computers be developed, improved, and adapted in a targeted manner? This has brought us huge challenges." Said Xu Duanqing, one of the leaders of the Mishan Archaeological Project.
To support the expedition of Mount Xumi, Zhejiang University has organized a dedicated cultural relics digitization team.
Diao Changyu, deputy dean of the Cultural Heritage Research Institute of Zhejiang University, introduced: “First, use photogrammetry technology, then upgrade and improve it bit by bit, and then try to combine laser scanning with photogrammetry, and continue to improve in terms of shape details, cultural and scientific records, etc. High precision."
In 2020, they took another big step and began to enter a new stage of building and using large-scale computing platforms.
"These changes are all driven by the demand for our technology from Xumishan Grottoes archaeology. This is the real reason that has been guiding technology forward." Diao Changyu said.
Li Zhirong believes that "our real work is always in the field. New technology is the hands and feet that help us work, and it is a tool to increase our strength."
(Our reporter Ji Yanan)