Hotan's history turns a page

Since 1995, a brocade arm protector embroidered with the words "Five stars rising in the East, being a propitious sign for the Middle Kingdom" from a tomb in Hotan prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, likely from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), has become known as a piece of evidence marking the frequent cultural exchanges along the ancient Silk Road since its discovery.

It is also regarded as one of the major symbolic cultural relics discovered in Hotan. A new book on Hotan's history and culture was published by Beijing-based Beijing Times Chinese Press, highlighting archaeological discoveries in the area, including the brocade.

Hotan is located in the southern part of Xinjiang and is situated south of the majestic Kunlun Mountains, one of the longest mountain ranges in Asia, and north of the vast Taklimakan Desert. The Hotan River, Keriya River and Niya River flow south to north, creating fertile oases through the region's sedimentation.

As a significant town along the Silk Road and a crossroad of cultural exchanges, Hotan has integrated various civilizations — Chinese, Central Asian, Indus Valley, Mesopotamian, and even Greco-Roman.

Merged together, a brilliant ancient civilization has risen. Animal husbandry, wool weaving and paper-making industries have flourished. Language, writing, music, dance, painting and sculpture have all left indelible traces in the region.

With specialized articles written by eight archaeologists from Xinjiang and 2,000 high-resolution images of archaeological remains and unearthed cultural relics, the book provides readers with a comprehensive display of the glorious humanistic landscape and splendid historical culture of Hotan over several thousand years.