The edited book includes 12 articles relevant to archaeological studies in Xinjiang, focusing on Turfan basin and involving neighboring areas when necessary. It presents the historical cultural change of Turfan basin from Bronze Age, Early Iron Age to historical period as a whole. It aims at showing Xinjiang's position as the bridge of communication and interaction of the east and west, therefore deepening people's understanding of multi-culture in ancient Xinjiang.

The recent hundred years of archaeological studies have revealed that, although ancient Xinjiang (or Western Regions) is located in the marginal area of Eurasian civilizations, its particular geographical location makes it the crossroad of the eastern and western civilizations. Different civilizations of Eurasian continent collided and integrated with indigenous civilization of Western Regions and created multi-culture features and its unique trajectory of historical development.

Presents the historical change of Turfan basin from various aspects such as ethnic groups and languages Reveals special and interesting archaeological discoveries from Turfan basin Attracts both professional researchers and general readers

Autorentext

Li Xiao has worked on archaeological research in Xinjiang since graduated from university in 1985, and devotes himself to field excavation and indoor comprehensive studies. Many years of fieldwork experiences and reciprocate theory studies not only enabled him to have full sensual and theoretical understands of the cultural remains in Xinjiang and neighboring areas, but also helped establish a particular study mode of exploring the origin of Central Asia civilization, the evolution of its internal structure, and the interaction with neighboring civilizations.

Inhalt

1. Overview of Archaeological Research in Xinjiang.- 2. Han and Tang Period Ethnic Group Relics in Xinjiang and Surrounding Areas.- 3. Cultural Exchanges Between the Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age in Turpan Basin and Surrounding Areas.- 4. The Analysis of Sarmatian and Scythian Tombs in Xinjiang Based on Western Burial Sites.- 5. The Dawn of Humanistic Care in Ancient Xinjiang: The world's earliest Prosthetic Limb Unearthed in Turpan.- 6. Zoroastrianism and Fire Worship.- 7. Initial Scientific Analysis of the Bronze Cauldron Discovered in Xinjiang.- 8. The Interaction and Evolution between Humanity and Nature in the Western Regions' Oases: A Case Study of the Gaochang Oasis.- 9. The Kang Family Cemetery in the Western Jiaohe Valley and the Sinicization of Sogdian Immigrants in Jiaohe.- 10. Ancient Coins Unearthed in Turpan in Recent Years.- 11. Turpan: A Crossroad of European and Asian Ethnic Groups and Language Exchange.- 12. The Legendary Story of the Ancient Carpet in Xinjiang Sampul.