Cultural Traces in Sino-Foreign Exchanges from the Civilization Synthesis Series

Abstract:
This volume features over 20 seminal essays by Professor Jao Tsung-I on the history of cultural exchanges between China and foreign civilizations. Topics include the relationship between ancient Chinese pottery marks and Semitic alphabets, the significance of gold in the Shang dynasty, early contact between China, Persia, and the Roman Empire, the trade in aromatic herbs, and maritime Silk Roads. The essays offer a comprehensive view of Profesor Jao’s research on intercultural exchanges.

About the Author:
Jao Tsung-I (1917–2018), also known by the courtesy name Xuántáng and the pseudonym Gù’ān, was born in Chaozhou, Guangdong. One of the most distinguished humanities scholars of modern China, he served as Chair Professor of Chinese and Wei Lun Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, a fellow at the China Central Institute for Culture and History, President of the Xiling Society of Seal Art, and Associate Foreign Membership of the Academy of Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres. He received honorary doctorates from over seventy institutions worldwide including the University of Hong Kong, the École Pratique des Hautes Études-Sorbonne, Shandong University, etc.

Editor’s Recommendation:

Hailed as a master of Sinology and a towering cultural figure, Jao Tsung-I is often mentioned alongside Qian Zhongshu as “Jao of the South, Qian of the North.” This posthumously published volume covers topics ranging from ancient cultural exchanges between the East and West to maritime explorations during the Song and Ming dynasties. Utilizing unearthed artifacts and ancient texts, it puts forth bold hypotheses and carefully verifies them, challenging the established understanding of the history of Sino-Western exchanges in the academic community. The book contains a wealth of rare artifact images, allowing readers to closely experience the brilliant culture of their ancestors and the nearly submerged history of the Silk Road. This is the first academic work published in mainland China by Professor Jao Tsung-I after his passing in 2018.