Tianshan Net – Xinjiang Daily Reporter Yin Lu:
“These documents are rare; I need to study how to interpret them more closely,” remarked Peter Tsimmer, a scholar of language and religious history from Germany, as he examined Chinese, Uyghur, and Syriac manuscripts displayed at the Turpan Museum during the international academic seminar on “New Developments in Nestorian Studies” held on October 19. Despite the many fragments being damaged, the exquisite and clear writing sparked delight in his eyes.
At 82 years old, Tsimmer has had a long-standing interest in the Turpan manuscripts. His doctoral thesis at the age of 28 focused on Uyghur texts related to Manichaean literature found among these precious documents. Over the past decades, he has deciphered numerous ancient texts, many of which are now considered “dead languages.” His findings have been published, contributing to global research discourse.
“The fragments of official documents, religious texts, personal letters, accounts, contracts, recipes, medical writings, prescriptions, and receipts have remained etched in my mind. Whenever I have the opportunity, I revisit them for analysis,” Tsimmer shared, attributing much of his scholarship to the manuscripts unearthed in Turpan.
“Historically, Turpan has been an international metropolis for a long period. This remarkable place uniquely preserved a wealth of invaluable documents that authentically record its rich multicultural heritage and coexistence of various religions,” Tsimmer noted. As a former director of the Turpan Studies Institute at the Brandenburg Academy of Sciences in Berlin, he has a profound understanding of the cultural heritage of Turpan, as well as a deep emotional bond with the region.
Despite being in his golden years, Tsimmer expressed great excitement when he received the invitation to attend the seminar. “First, I’m very interested in the important discoveries at the Nestorian monastery site near Turpan. Second, Turpan has always held a special place in my heart,” he said.
“Professor Tsimmer made the trip solo all the way from Germany,” remarked Wang Ding, a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University. During their years working together in Germany, Wang and Tsimmer were playfully referred to as belonging to the “Turpan team” by their colleagues.
Tsimmer has visited Turpan multiple times for academic exchanges, marveling at the city’s rich cultural heritage, including significant archaeological sites like the ancient cities of Jiaohe and Gaochang, the Tuyugou Caves, and the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves.
“I am not an archaeologist, but my research in ancient languages and religious history relies heavily on their discoveries. Beyond the written manuscripts, religious statues, murals, daily artifacts, and handcrafted items all serve as clues in my studies,” Tsimmer explained. He emphasized that deciphering a document often requires extensive context from the society and various elements of the time to grasp its true meaning. “Today’s new archaeological discoveries further confirm many of my existing hypotheses, sometimes even reshaping my understanding.”
At the conference, Tsimmer was pleased to meet several scholars from around the world specializing in Nestorian studies. “I found both my peers and many young scholars here. I witnessed a system of mentorship, where we can share our experiences with the new generation, and they, in return, inform us of the latest, modern research insights. This wonderful platform for exchange enriches everyone’s understanding of historical realities,” he said.
One highlight for Tsimmer was the opportunity to visit the Nestorian monastery site, which has recently become the largest and richest archaeological site for Nestorian discoveries in China. Archaeologists have unearthed hundreds of texts in Chinese, Syriac, Uyghur, and Sogdian, as well as Nestorian murals and remnants of monastic life, with the Syriac manuscripts garnering particular international interest.
“The excavation of this site showcases China’s scientific, rational, and effective investment in archaeology and cultural heritage preservation,” Tsimmer observed. He believes that China’s approach to cultural heritage conservation and utilization provides valuable lessons for countries worldwide. Moving forward, scholars should continue to broaden avenues for international academic exchange to collaboratively advance the exploration of global civilization.
