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China·South Asia 22

Joint archaeological efforts bear fruit

留下考古的“脚印”

Since the inception of the Belt and Road experience the original temples. However,
Initiative in 2013, there has been an increased now the Vikrampura site lies right beneath
level of exchanges and cooperation between my shovel!”
China and the countries involved. Chinese ar- The collaboration between Chinese and
chaeologists have actively contributed to this Bangladeshi archaeologists has yielded re-
process as well. markable discoveries at the Vikrampura site.
Vikrampura is a significant Buddhist site Apart from uncovering the Nateshwar Bud-
located on the banks of the Ganges River dhist temple, the excavation has revealed a
in Bangladesh. It is also recognized as the wealth of Chinese porcelain fragments from
birthplace of Atiśa, a Bengali monk who pi- different historical periods. These fragments,
oneered cultural exchanges between China including celadon, white porcelain, and blue
th
and Bangladesh. As early as the 7 century, and white porcelain, provide vivid evidence
the Chinese monk Xuanzang visited of the enduring cultural connections between
Vikrampura, leaving a documented China and Bangladesh throughout history.
account of his exploration. In 2010, Within the Sri Lanka National Museum,
Bangladesh initiated excavations at a stone tablet known as “the Stele of Offer-
the Vikrampura site. In December ing Alms Bestowed at the Buddhist Temple
2014, a team of archaeologists from in the Mountain of Ceylon” proudly stands.
the Institute of Cultural Relics and This monument was brought to Sri Lanka
Archaeology of Hunan Province, by the renowned Chinese navigator Zheng
China, was invited by the Bang- He during the Ming Dynasty. Six centuries
ladeshi authorities to collaborate on ago, Zheng He, hailing from China’s Yunnan
joint archaeological efforts. province, followed the Maritime Silk Road
With the efforts of Chinese and Bangla- to Sri Lanka, a gem famously referred to as
deshi archaeologists, significant progress has the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean.” Today, in
been made in uncovering the mysteries of the spirit of cultural exchange, Chinese and
the Vikrampura site. As a result, the notable Sri Lankan archaeologists come together,
Bengali monk Atiśa, who holds a significant conducting field surveys and engaging in dis-
position in the history of Tibetan Buddhism, cussions on the civilization of the Silk Road.
has once again garnered attention. Atiśa was Through this collaborative effort, they seek to
born in Vikrampura over a millennium ago uncover shared historical memories and cre-
and in 1042, he was invited to Xizang to ate a lasting “monument” of China-Sri Lanka
spread Buddhism through preaching, writing, cultural exchanges.
and translating Buddhist scriptures. He The excavation at the Allalppidi site in Sri
continued his work until his pass- Lanka’s Jaffna District has revealed over 600
ing in Xizang in 1054. Chai Chinese porcelain fragments dating back to
Huanbo, the Chinese leader of Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing, and other dynasties.
the joint archaeological team, These discoveries provide concrete evidence
conducted extensive research of the vibrant trade and commercial ties be-
in Xizang to trace Atiśa’s tween China and Sri Lanka nearly a millenni-
footsteps. He mentioned, “While um ago. Like precious pearls, these artifacts
attempting to locate the origins of adorn the historical tapestry of the Maritime
the temple architecture in Xizang, I faced Silk Road, preserving and sharing the stories
challenges such as the lack of relevant images of cultural exchange and mutual learning be-
for comparison and the inability to physically tween China and Sri Lanka.