europe.chinadaily.com.cn
Ancient Delivery Person Depicted on Brick Showcases Ancient China's Postal System
A new book, "Chinese Faces", uses a brick depicting a 3rd-4th century CE Chinese delivery person from Gansu as a focal point to explore how human faces found on cultural relics across China from the Paleolithic era to the present day reflect the emotions and values of the Chinese nation.
- What does the discovery of the ancient delivery person's image reveal about communication and trade networks in ancient China?
- A recently unearthed brick from a tomb in Gansu province depicts an ancient Chinese delivery person on horseback, highlighting the historical importance of postal services. The detail of the figure, including the lack of a mouth possibly symbolizing confidentiality, offers a unique glimpse into daily life during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. This artifact is featured in a new book, "Chinese Faces", showcasing the diverse representations of people in Chinese cultural relics.
- How does the book "Chinese Faces" utilize diverse cultural artifacts to reconstruct a comprehensive picture of Chinese society across various eras?
- The book "Chinese Faces" uses the image of the delivery person to illustrate broader themes of communication and cultural exchange in ancient China. The well-developed postal system, as evidenced by the brick and historical records of over 80 courier stations along the Silk Road, points to significant economic and social connections across vast distances. This highlights the systemic importance of efficient communication and trade.
- What are the potential implications of focusing on human faces in cultural relics for future historical research and public understanding of the past?
- The book's focus on human faces in cultural relics offers a fresh perspective on Chinese history, moving beyond dynastic accounts to examine the lives of ordinary people. The inclusion of the delivery person's image foreshadows future research exploring daily life and societal structures in ancient China using non-traditional sources. This approach promises a richer and more nuanced understanding of the past.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the story primarily around the ancient postal delivery man depicted on the brick, using this as a captivating entry point to introduce the book. While this is an engaging approach, it might overshadow the broader themes and significance of the book, which explores a wider range of cultural relics and their representation of the Chinese nation. The emphasis on the single artifact and the author's inspiration risks misrepresenting the book's comprehensive nature.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the postal delivery depiction on the brick and the author's inspiration, potentially omitting other significant aspects of the book, "Chinese Faces", and the diverse artifacts it showcases. While the book covers relics from various eras and ethnic groups, the article doesn't delve into the specifics of these other artifacts or their representation of Chinese culture. This omission might limit the reader's understanding of the book's full scope and impact.
Sustainable Development Goals
The book highlights the developed postal system of ancient China, showcasing infrastructure and innovation in logistics and communication across vast distances. The existence of courier stations every 20 kilometers along the Silk Road demonstrates significant investment in infrastructure to support trade and governance. This illustrates advancements in infrastructure that facilitated economic growth and cultural exchange.