Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-08-02
Archaeological Finds I'm Chinese
Turkestan.


lE Chinese Turkestan most astonish-
= ing archaeological finds In the sand
buried caves of Turfan have been
: brought to Berlin. The greatest sur
prise are the paintings in fresco style
with which the walls of the excavated
temples and palaces we're covered.
The colors are as we'll preserved as
though the painter had just finished
bis work; innumerable, often life
lsize, figures Of men and animals, the
Iby-work of plants and ornamental
tlons, and the symbolic embellsh-
ments give us a clear conception OF
Ian unknown period OF flourishing
lculture in those regions and the
tangible proof OF direct connection
of the art OF eastern Asia with that
of the western community OF nations.
Fortunately so many writings in var
ious languages were unearthed at the
same time that we can fix the origin
OF these paintings with sufficient ac-
curacy.
The finds leads us back TO the
seventh, eighth and ninth centuries
OF our era and represent the state OF
culture in these remote regions, be-
fore Mohammedanlsm got its COM
plete superiority. IL was mixture
of Buddhlstic, Indian, New Persian
Christian and Chinese accomplish |
ments that we have before us. and
from It's study many puzzle OF the
history OF east Asian art Is at once |
solved. We may now follow In de- |
tail the gradual transition from the /
Helenistic to the Chinese style.
II we ar struck at the great re-
semblance OF many traits on these
pictures with particularities OF mod
edn japanese works of art. the old |
suppostion that the best sides OF the /
decorative style OF Japanese art goes
In the end back to Greek influences,
Is now fully substantiated.
or the highest interest are the
chronological bearings OF these pie
lures OF Gods, Demons. Buddhas and
Saints, especially OF the numerous
portraits OF kings, warriors, monks
and deyotees. Among them we find
many Aryans of the truest type with
blue or greenish eyes. high noses,
blonde beard and undulating hair.
Thus the doubts of modern critics
regarding the assertion OF medieval
Chinese geographers that nations OF
such description lived In the western ,
outskirts of the celestial empire are
set at rest.
or most imposing presence appear
he New Persian figures in their :
'oyal and warlike attire with their ,
'calloped coats OF mail and the in.
aid silver of the sword belts. On
he other hand the Indian type OF
many figures is unmistakable, as Is
Ilso the plain. somewhat stiff ap-
'earance OF the Chinese personages.
'he ease and dlstlnctness of the out
ines is admirable. while the effect
y shadow and the detail OF the back :.
iround ia not SO well cared for. !"
II we compare these pictures with ,
no later works OF Chinese, Coreans
nd Japanese pictorial art, there Is
'ardly any essential addition notice.
bile. On the contrary. since the
eyenteenth century Chinese and
'orean painting is losing of its form .
r excellence. while Japan In the =
'eriod of its seclusion carefully pre- y
erves It's good tradition. The con- =
eQuenee Is that In modern times the = |.
development OF eastern art appears
he more satisfactory the farther east
'e 80, 1. G.. the more distant from
he common origin In Chinese Turk
stan
In Turfan the period Of decay COM
leneed In the ninth century. The
liNIure OF Hellenlstic, Buddhistic
nd Chinese cultures receded before
he ioonoclastio Mohammedanism
waved. over Persia, northern India
nd Turkestan. Ever since, tho east
sian world OF culture was separat-
d from the influences OF the west
nd underwent It's transformations
selnsively according To Chinese
ants and ideals.
The discovery OF these monuments
the iourishing period OF Turk
stan In the seventh and eighth CEN
aries Is due to two expeditions OF
rofessor Grunwedel and the two and
half years expedition OF Herr Won
eeo0' From a special fund the
erman emperor contributed elSOO
ward the expenses. the state OF
russia paying the remainder. The