Cliff carvings bear evidence of long-lost ethnic Chinese language

CHANGSHA - Archeologists have confirmed that inscriptions found on cliffs in Central China's Hunan province are in the language of the Miao ethnic minority, which today is purely spoken, one of China's many minority languages.

Comprehensive research on more than 200 cliff carving sites found since 2010 along two river valleys in Chengbu Miao Ethnic County in West Hunan has concluded that the characters and symbols inscribed on the cliffs are words and even stories that may be records of the life, agriculture and religious beliefs of the Miao.

The written language is known of only through Miao folk songs and folklore. The characters are similar to Chinese seal characters but are mingled with other symbols, possibly pictograms. Archeologists said the characters were carved on the cliffs during Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties.

The provincial bureau of cultural relics has proposed setting up a Miao Language research institute specializing in deciphering and protecting the language.

The Miao are among China's 55 ethnic minorities, highly regarded for elaborately embroidered silk garments and complex multi-tier silver headdresses and necklaces normally worn by women, especially during weddings.

Tourism in Miao regions in mountainous Hunan and Southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regions has exploded in recent years. Tourists are drawn by the scenery and culture from their wooden dwellings and distinctive food to traditional clothes and handicrafts.