The Ruins of Kocho

The Ruins of Kocho

Traces of Wooden Architecture on the Ancient Silk Road
Herausgeber: Lilla Russell-Smith; Ines Konczak-Nagel

The ancient city of Kocho (Gaochang) surrounded by desert sand, was an important oasis on the Ancient Silk Road. Situated near Turfan in Xinjiang, China the region is becoming an important tourist destination with a newly built high-speed rail link to central China. One hundred years ago expeditions competed to explore this area. A large number of early medieval wooden objects were brought to Berlin by the so-called German Turfan Expeditions (1902-1914) saving them from locals looking for fuel in the cold winters. An international project (2014-2015) researched these uniquely preserved architectural elements which lay undisturbed in the sand for hundreds of years. Beautiful carved wooden capitals and panels reminding us of Roman and Byzantine architecture are exhibited for the first time. Lavishly painted beams could be reassembled illustrating exactly traditional Chinese technologies described in 11th century building manuals. The ruins where they were found were also documented using historical and modern photographs. This volume presents the results of the research project and accompanies the exhibition. surrounded by desert sand, was an important oasis on the Ancient Silk Road. Situated near Turfan in Xinjiang, China the region is becoming an important tourist destination with a newly built high-speed rail link to central China. One hundred years ago expeditions competed to explore this area. A large number of early medieval wooden objects were brought to Berlin by the so-called German Turfan Expeditions (1902-1914) saving them from locals looking for fuel in the cold winters. An international project (2014-2015) researched these uniquely preserved architectural elements which lay undisturbed in the sand for hundreds of years. Beautiful carved wooden capitals and panels reminding us of Roman and Byzantine architecture are exhibited for the first time. Lavishly painted beams could be reassembled illustrating exactly traditional Chinese technologies described in 11th century building manuals. The ruins where they were found were also documented using historical and modern photographs. This volume presents the results of the research project and accompanies the exhibition.
Order number:
1557292
Regions
Asia
Museums & Collections
Humboldt-Forum, Museen Dahlem, Museum für Asiatische Kunst
Subjects
Art
Product types
Books & Media
Location:
Berlin
Year:
2016
Cover:
Paperback
Pages:
160
Images:
yes
Color images:
yes
Size:

 

Every purchase supports the Museums!



Delivery charges: Are calculated depending on the weight (kg) and destination of the order. Exact charges are displayed in the Shopping basket.

Estimated Delivery times
Germany: 2-3 days
Europe 3-6 days
Rest of the world: 10-26 days

Return
If for any reason you are not entirely happy with books and other products purchased from the shop, we will refund the value of the goods supplied. Please contact Customer Services directly on + 49 221 20 59 6 -39 (9-18 Uhr)

For more information, please see our Terms and Conditions>

€39.90*