[Explanation] The Hepu Han Tombs in Guangxi is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient tombs in China. The unearthed cultural relics vividly reproduce the scenes of trade, technology and cultural dissemination, and personnel exchanges on the Maritime Silk Road in the Han Dynasty.
Recently, Xiong Zhaoming, a professor at Guangxi University for Nationalities, accepted an exclusive interview with China News Agency "East and West Questions".
[Concurrent] Xiong Zhaoming, professor of Guangxi University for Nationalities
According to rough statistics, we have now excavated more than 1,200 Han tombs. Through excavation and research, this Han tomb (Hepu, Guangxi) has unearthed a large number of cultural exchanges with the East and the West, reflecting the evidence of the Maritime Silk Road in the Han Dynasty. Materials, in this cross-regional and cross-civilization exchange, it has a relatively prominent universal value.
[Explanation] Xiong Zhaoming introduced that taking the Roman glass bowl unearthed from the Han Tomb in Hepu as an example, because Westerners preferred agate at that time, they made this bowl with the color of agate, different from monochrome glass.
After chemical composition analysis, it was confirmed that the bowl was soda lime glass originating from the Mediterranean coast, and then flowed into Hepu through the entrepot trade from India.
[Explanation] In the Hepu Han Tomb Group, about 100 tombs have unearthed glassware.
According to archaeological research and technical analysis, these glass vessels came from Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Mediterranean region.
It is understood that during the Han Dynasty, Guangxi was located in the frontier, and its culture, science and technology were relatively backward. Only the production level of glass containers was higher than that of the Central Plains. The appearance of this phenomenon should be closely related to the scientific and technological dissemination of the Maritime Silk Road.
[Concurrent] Xiong Zhaoming, professor of Guangxi University for Nationalities
In fact, we have produced a lot of beautiful glasses, glass bowls, and saucers in Hepu. This is not easy, because at that time, everyone felt that the technology and culture in Lingnan were relatively backward, only in the north. There would be no glassware like us. That is to say, in terms of glassware production technology, we are more advanced than the North and more advanced than the Central Plains, so this means that it is closely related to the technology spread of the Maritime Silk Road.
More importantly, it spreads some cultures from outside the region, and it was integrated into our Hepu Han Tomb. It is also reflected in the cultural relics, such as the figurines of the Hu people. These are more vivid. The bridge of the nose, as well as some winged beasts, or feathered people, such statues with wings, in fact, this cultural factor can find its source in the West.
[Explanation] According to the records in the Book of Han, the Maritime Silk Road in the Han Dynasty was a road of peace.
The Chinese diplomatic missions did not use war, plunder and other means, and lived friendly with the countries along the way.
There is even a friendly scene where the countries passed along the way provide food and escorts for the Han embassy, and buy boats to send the embassy to the next country.
[Concurrent] Xiong Zhaoming, professor of Guangxi University for Nationalities
It was recorded in the "History Books" at that time that it was a road to peace. As mentioned in "Geography of the Han Dynasty", one is the coupling of food, and the countries along the route are the coupling of food. What do you mean, as we talk about today , I invite you to dinner, and then accompany you, and it is also recorded that the barbarian Jia boat was sent to it, that is, the local people bought the boat and sent you to the next station, so this is a good example, that is, to say It is a road to peace.
[Explanation] In recent years, Chinese officials have proposed the "Belt and Road" initiative, which is the inheritance and improvement of the Maritime Silk Road in the Han Dynasty.
The construction of the "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" adheres to the principles of joint consultation, joint construction and sharing.
This coincides with the official leadership of the Maritime Silk Road in the Han Dynasty, the participation of the people, the insistence on open cooperation, the conduct of equal and mutually beneficial two-way business activities, the strengthening of dialogue between different civilizations, and the characteristics of seeking common ground while reserving differences, being inclusive, peaceful coexistence, and symbiosis and co-prosperity.
[Explanation] The Maritime Silk Road in the Han Dynasty not only opened up trade between China and Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia and other regions, but also made the local people understand and accept Chinese culture.
At the same time, through the Maritime Silk Road of the Han Dynasty, China also accepted foreign cultures from Southeast Asia, South Asia, and West Asia.
It is believed that the "Belt and Road" initiative will also gain the recognition and support of countries along the route with practical benefits, thereby benefiting the people along the route.
Reported by Chen Yanyou, Huang Lingyan, Yang Chen, Guangxi Nanning
Responsible editor: [Ji Xiang]