Praktische info Data en tijdstip: • Sessies I, III, IV: 5 okt, 14 dec 2014, 25 jan 2015 op zondag (10u30) • Sessie II: 4 dec 2014, op donderdag (19u00) The Silk Road: Border Crossing Plaats: duolezingen / in het Engels en Frans • Sessies I, III, IV: Audito- rium, KMKG Jubelparkmu- seum, Jubelpark 10 B-1000 The Silk Road: Border Crossing is een initiatief en experiment van het Belgisch • Sessie II: Lokaal 00.20 in Instituut voor Hogere Chinese Studiën (BIHCS) in samenwerking met de MSI 1, Erasmusplein 2, Educatieve en Culturele dienst en de Diffusion Culturelle van de Koninklijke 3000 Leuven. Musea voor Kunst en Geschiedenis (KMKG/MRAH), de KU Leuven, het Inter- Contact: national Dunhuang Project (IDP, British Library) en geniet de steun van Asian • +32 (0)2 741 73 55 Art in Brussels (AAB). (di en do van 10 tot 16u) Doel van deze reeks duolezingen is mensen even uit hun comfortzone (China) • [email protected] te halen en hen uit te nodigen tot ’border crossing’. Sprekers en toehoorders Prijs per duolezing: worden meegenomen, niet alleen langs de beter bekende wegen van de zijderoutes, maar ook aangemoedigd in de confrontatie en dialoog met andere • e8/ e6 gebieden die traditioneel niet met China in verband gebracht worden, maar • Gratis: leden BIHCS, VED, DC, Per Musea, studenten wel ge-lijkaardige ontwikkelingen gekend hebben. Elke sessie bestaat uit KU Leuven 2x1 uur durende lezingen door specialisten uit verschillende maar verwante vakgebieden van waaruit ze het onderwerp van de lezing belichten. www.china-institute.be www.kmkg-mrah.be/nl/silk- Deze unieke format van duolezingen werd uitgedacht en kreeg concreet vorm road-border-crossing dankzij de voorzitter van het BIHCS, sinologe en archeologe, Ilse Timperman, die de verschillende sessies zal modereren. (Zie volgende pagina’s voor meer info) Infos pratiques The Silk Road: Border Crossing Dates et heures : conférences duo/ en anglais et en français • Sessions I, III, IV : 5 oct-14 déc 2014 - 25 jan 2015 les dimanches (10h30) The Silk Road: Border Crossing est une initiative novatrice de l’Institut belge • Session II : jeudi le 4 déc des hautes études chinoises (IBHEC/BIHC) organisée conjointement avec 2014 (19h00) les services culturels et éducatifs des Musées royaux d’art et d’histoire (MRAH/KMKG), le KU Leuven, le International Dunhuang Project (IDP, British Lieu : Library) avec le support de Asian Art in Brussels (AAB). • Sessions I, III, IV : Audito- rium, MRAH Musée du Cin- Le but de ces conférences en duo est d’inviter le public à sortir de sa quantenaire, Parc du Cin- zone de confort (la Chine) et de participer à ’border crossing’, non seulement quantenaire 10, B-1000 le long des routes de la soie mieux connues, mais également pour les • Session II : Local 00.20 confronter avec d’autres régions traditionnellement pas liées à la Chine, mais à MSI 1, Erasmusplein 2, ayant connu parallèlement des développements similaires. Chaque session 3000 Leuven. comprendra deux exposés d’une heure par deux spécialistes partageant un Contact : même thème d’analyse, chacun à partir d’une région différente. • +32 (0)2 741 73 55 (ma et je de 10 à 16h) Cette méthodologie originale est proposée par la Présidente de l’IBHEC, Ilse • [email protected] Timperman, sinologue et archéologue, qui assurera la tâche de modératrice des sessions.(Pour plus de détails, voir pages suivantes) Prix par conférence duo : • e8/ e6 • Gratuit : membres IBHEC, VED, DC, Per Musea, étudi- ants KU Leuven www.china-institute.be www.kmkg-mrah.be/fr/silk- road-border-crossing Practical Information Time and date: • Sessions I, III, IV: 5 Oct, 14 Dec 2014, 25 Jan 2015 on Sundays (10u30) • Session II: Thursday, 4 Dec The Silk Road: Border Crossing 2014 (19u00) duo lectures / in English and French Venue: • Sessions I, III, IV: Audito- rium, KMKG Jubelparkmu- The Silk Road: Border Crossing is and initiative and experiment of the seum, Jubelpark 10 B-1000 Belgian Institute for Advanced Chinese Studies in Brussels (BIHCS/IBHEC), • Session II: Room 00.20, in co-organisation with the Educational and Cultural Department of the MSI 1, Erasmusplein 2, Royal Museums of Art and History (KMKG/ MRAH), the KU Leuven, the 3000 Leuven. International Dunhuang Project (IDP), and is supported by Asian Art in Brussels (AAB). Contact: • +32 (0)2 741 73 55 In this series of duo-lectures the audience is invited to step out of (Tuesday and Thursday their comfort zone (China) and participate in ’border crossing’, not only along from 10 to 4pm) the better-known ’silk roads’ but also by confronting them with other areas • [email protected] that are traditionally not connected with what is now China, and that have Price per duo lecture: known similar developments. Each session includes a 2x1 hour lecture by two specialists on different areas but similar topics. • e8/ e6 • Free: members BIHCS, VED, DC, Per Musea, stu- This unique lecture format is designed by the president of the BIHCS/ dents KU Leuven IBHEC, sinologist and archaeologist, Ilse Timperman, who will moderate the different sessions. (See next pages for more information) www.china-institute.be http://www.kmkg-mrah.be/silk- road-border-crossing The Silk Road: Border Crossing duolezingen / in het Engels en Frans conférences duo/ en anglais et en français duo lectures/ in English and French

SESSIE I - SESSION I

Zondag - Dimanche 5/10/2014 10h30 (en français) Auditorium, KMKG Jubelparkmuseum/ MRAH Musée du Cinquantenaire

Les Scythes nomades et les empires agraires en Asie centrale: recherches récentes Dr. Henri-Paul Francfort (CNRS) & Nouvelles recherches sur les Scythes et leurs contemporains en Asie centrale orientale (Xinjiang, Chine) Dr. Corinne Debaine-Francfort (CNRS)

Que connaissons-nous des Scythes et comment peuvent-ils être liés avec ce qui est maintenant la Chine? Cette session mettra en évidence la Pendeloque en bois doré de harnache- culture matérielle de l’époque scythe sur base de différents sites qui nous sont ment de cheval du kourgane no.11 de plus ou moins bien connus en Asie intérieure, comme le kourgane gelé No. Berel’ (Altaï, Kazakhstan). Vers 280 11 de Berel’ dans l’Altaï kazakhstanais et des sites dans la région autonome av. J.-C. : tête de félin. MAFAC. ouïghoure du Xinjiang (R.P. Chine).

Deux archéologues et chercheurs du CNRS, dotés de riches expéri- ences de terrain dans les deux régions nous offriront des vues inédites de ce peuple fascinant du début de l’Âge du fer (1er millénaire avant J.-C.) et nous montrent comment ces cultures des steppes ont transformé les formes empruntées à l’Occident et l’Orient.

SESSIE II - SESSION II

Donderdag - Jeudi 04/12/2014 19h00 (in English) Lokaal - Local - Room 00.20, MSI 1, Erasmusplein 2, 3000 Leuven.

The Origins of the Silk Road in the Bronze Age: Xiaohe burial site in Xinjiang (P.R. Connecting Europe and China/India China). Idriss Abduressul Dr. Kristian Kristiansen (University of Gothenburg, Sweden) & Bronze Age Archaeology in the Taklamakan Desert (Xinjiang, China): the site of Xiaohe Dr. Idris Abdurusul (Honorary Director of the Xinjiang Institute of Archaeology, P.R. China)

During the Bronze Age two wheeled chariots expanded both east and west of the Urals, as well as south into Mesopotamia/Iran. It represented the expansion of a new warrior aristocracy based on a pastoral economy, which reached Xinjiang to the East, and central and northern EUrope to the west. Material culture, as well as shared religion and rituals speaks of an interconnected world across western Eurasia during this period. Trade was also taking place, first and foremost in metals, but most likely also in woolen textiles, as we find astonishing similarities between Tarim and Europe. Wooden mask, Xiaohe burial site in Xinjiang (P.R. China). Idriss Abdures- This duo lecture will highlight the archaeology of this formative period of the sul later Silk Road. Dr. Kristiansen will do this from a European perspective on the Bronze Age, while Dr. Abduressul will zoom in on the Bronze Age burial site of Xiaohe in present-day Xinjiang (P.R. China), where dessicated bodies with Europoid features clearly attest of western influence. The Silk Road: Border Crossing duolezingen / in het Engels en Frans conférences duo/ en anglais et en français duo lectures/ in English and French

SESSIE III - SESSION III

Zondag - Dimanche 14/12/2014 10h30 (in English) Auditorium, KMKG Jubelparkmuseum/ MRAH Musée du Cinquantenaire

Early Monasticism and Anchoretic life in Egypt Dr. Karel Innemée (Leiden University) & Early Monasticism on the Eastern Silk Road (Tarim Basin) Dr. Susan Whitfield (International Dunhuang Project, British Library)

Convergences between the early monastic traditions of Christianity and Buddhism have been noted previously and possible links between them discussed, if never proven. Although contacts between the Eastern Mediterranean and Central Asia are evident from before the Christian Era, no indications for a Buddhist root of Christian monasticism seems to exist. (T) Hermitage close to St. Maca-rius Did archaeologists overlook something or do we simply have a case of monastery, Wadi al-Natrun (Egypt) independent developments? en (L) painting (7th cent.?) of the monastery Deir Anba Hadra near Aswan (Egypt). K.C. Innemée. (R) This session will juxtapose caves, hermitages, and monastic complexes of Stupa of Rawak (c. 300-600) near early Christian Egypt with Buddhist stupas, temples and cave temples of the Khotan (China). Photo taken by Au- Taklamakan desert in present-day western China. Two field specialists, one on rel Stein, 17 September 1906. Inter- Eastern Christian culture and the other historian of China and the Silk Road, national Dunhuang Project. Nemrud will ensure a unique experience. Dagh,˘ hierotheseion of Antiochos I, c. 50-35 B.C.. Judith M. Barringer. SESSIE IV - SESSION IV

Zondag - Dimanche 25/01/2015 10h30 (in English) Auditorium, KMKG Jubelparkmuseum/ MRAH Musée du Cinquantenaire

Hellenistic Sculpture East and West: Homogeneity and Diversity Dr. Judy Barringer (University of Edinburgh) & Sculpture and the question of contacts between China and the Hellenistic East Dr. Lukas Nickel (SOAS, University of London)

This session brings together the worlds of Alexander the Great and more specifically his Hellenistic legacy with that of the First Emperor of China and his terracotta army. In this controversial but fascinating encounter, the Nemrud Dagh,˘ hierotheseion of An- audience will be able to look at Qin Shihuangdi’s terracotta army from an tiochos I, c. 50-35 B.C.. Judith M. entire new and fresh perspective. The speakers of this session include an Barringer. expert on ancient Greek art and a specialist in the art history and archaeology of China and the Silk Road. Samenvattingen en biografieën sprekers Résumés et biographies conférenciers Abstracts and bios speakers

The Silk Road: Border Crossing SESSIE I - SESSION I (FR)

Les Scythes nomades et les empires agraires en Asie Nouvelles recherches sur les Scythes et leurs contem- centrale. Recherches récentes porains en Asie centrale orientale (Xinjiang, Chine)

Dr. Henri-Paul FRANCFORT (CNRS) Dr. Corinne DEBAINE-FRANCFORT (CNRS)

Dans cette conférence, le Dr Henri-Paul Francfort présen- Qui étaient les Scythes et comment peuvent-ils être liés tera un apercu de l’art et de l’archéologie de l’âge du fer avec ce qui est maintenant la Chine ? Dans cette con- de la steppe nomades en l’Asie intérieure, et mettra par- férence, le Dr Corinne Debaine-Francfort nous emmènera ticulièrement l’accent sur la partie non publié des objets au cœur du désert du Takla-Makan au Xinjiang (Rép. Pop. découverts lors des fouilles de kurgan gelé Nr 11 du Berel’ De Chine) pour montrer comment l’époque scythe a laissé dans l’Altaï kazakhstanais de 1998 à 2000 par une équipe des traces dans cette partie peu connue et fort éloignée du Kazakh-française-italienne de l’Institut d’archéologie du monde. Ici dans l’oasis de Keriya, elle vous fera découvrir Kazakhstan, du CNRS (France) et Centro Studi Richerche les «cousins des Scythes» et vous expliquera la manière Ligabue (Italie). Une présentation des objets provenant dont ils ont été liés à d’autres cultures dans l’Altaï et des autres kourganes de la région de lAltaï (dite cul- au-delà de l’Altaï. ture Pazyryk) est prévue, comme éléments de preuves et d’essayer de comprendre les processus d’emprunt, la En tant que directeur de la «Mission archéologique franco- transformation et la transmission des formes grecques et chinoise au Xinjiang» elle y a codirigé les fouilles depuis achéménide jusqu’en Chine et dans l’autre sens, jusqu’à la les années nonante, elle connaît ce domaine mieux que période hellénistique. personne. Lors de la conférence, elle présentera égale- ment des découvertes spectaculaires, comme des momies La conférence proposera de mettre en évidence et bien conservées et donnera un aperçu plus clair de ce d’essayer à comprendere l’apparition des éléments du peuple fascinant de l’âge du Fer et de leur réseau au cours Moyen-Orient dans un contexte local des arts autonomes du premier millénaire avant notre ère. de la steppe, la persistance d’é’elments achéménides bien après la chute de l’Empire et (d’un point de vue de la Corinne Debaine-Francfort est une archéologue et sino- théorie de l’art) comment les cultures des steppes ont logue française, spécialiste de la Chine du Nord-Ouest de transformé les formes empruntées à l’Occident et l’Orient. la protohistoire au début de l’Antiquité. Elle consacre une grande partie de ses travaux aux civilisations anciennes Henri-Paul Francfort est un archéologue français spé- du Xinjiang, région de contacts occupant une position cialiste de l’Asie centrale depuis la Protohistoire jusqu’à stratégique en Eurasie. l’Antiquité. Ses travaux se concentrent sur les interac- tions entre les sociétés pastorales nomades et les empires Directrice de Recherche au CNRS, elle assure la direc- agraires dans la "longue durée ". Il a participé et dirigé tion adjointe de l’UMR [unité mixte de recherche] 7041- de nombreux travaux sur le terrain, des explorations ArScAn «Archéologies et Sciences de l’Antiquité» (Maison et des fouilles: à Aï Khanoum (ville hellénistique dans de l’archéologie et de l’Ethnologie à Nanterre). Au sein de le nord de l’Afghanistan), à Shortughai (colonie Harap- cette UMR, elle est responsable de l’équipe «Archéologie pan dans le nord de l’Afghanistan), dans l’Haryana et le de l’Asie centrale» qui traite des régions comprises entre Rajasthan (Inde), dans la vallée Keriya à Karadong et l’Iran et la Chine (axe est-ouest) et entre le monde indien Djoumboulak-Koum (Xinjiang, Chine), la tombe gelée et celui des steppes (axe nord-sud). de Berel’ (Altaï, Kazakhstan) et il a arpenté de nom- breux sites d’art rupestre en Sibérie, au Kazakhstan, au Co-rédactrice en chef de la revue Arts asiatiques, elle Kirghizstan, et en Ouzbékistan. Francfort a donné des dirige aussi la Mission archéologique franco-chinoise au séminaires à la Sorbonne, l’École Normale Supérieure, Xinjiang. Fondée sur une coopération de longue date entre etc., ainsi que des conférences dans diverses institutions le CNRS et l’Institut d’archéologie et du patrimoine du Xin- en France, en Europe, en Amérique et en Asie. Il est jiang, cette mission a réalisé de nombreuses campagnes l’auteur d’environ 190 publications et membre de diverses de fouilles et de prospections dans les deltas fossiles de la associations académiques, il est membre correspondant Keriya (désert de Taklamakan, Sud Xinjiang) où elle a mis de l’Académie française "des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres". au jour des vestiges de civilisations auparavant inconnues (3e millénaire avant - 3e siècle après J.-C.). Samenvattingen en biografieën sprekers Résumés et biographies conférenciers Abstracts and bios speakers

The Silk Road: Border Crossing SESSIE II - SESSION II (EN)

The Origins of the Silk Road in the Bronze Age: Bronze Age Archaeology in the Taklamakan Desert Connecting Europe and China/India (Xinjiang, China): the Xiaohe burial site

Dr. Kristian KRISTIANSEN Dr. Idris ABDURUSUL (University of Gothenburg, Sweden) (Honorary Director of the Xinjiang Institute of Archae- ology, P.R. China)

During the Bronze Age two wheeled chariots expanded In this talk, Abdurusul will share with us the latest disco- both east and west of the Urals, as well as south into veries of the fascinating Early Bronze Age sites of Xiaohe Mesopotamia/Iran. It represented the expansion of a new in the Lop desert and the Keriya oasis in the southern warrior aristocracy based on a pastoral economy, which Taklamakan desert, both in Xinjiang (P.R. China). Xiaohe reached Xinjiang to the East, and central and northern (c. 2000-1500 BCE) was first discovered and excavated in EUrope to the west. the early 20th century. About a decade ago, it has been re-investigated by the Xinjiang Institute of Archaeology Material culture, as well as shared religion and ritu- and joint international research has shed new light on als speaks of an interconnected world across western these Bronze Age people and their western connections. Eurasia during this period. Trade was also taking place, first and foremost in metals, but most likely also in woolen The Xiaohe cemetery is located on a sand hill and thanks textiles, as we find astonishing similarities between Tarim to the dry climate easily perishable materials have been and Europe. preserved including human, animal and plant remains. The people who lived here, were buried in boat-shaped The presentation will highlight the archaeology of this coffins in shaft graves, herded cattle, cultivated wheat formative period of the later Silk Road. and were dressed in woolen cloths. Both wheat and do- mesticated cattle were probably introduced from western Dr. Kristian Kristiansen is a leading specialist in Bronze Eurasia and more specifically the Near East. Age archaeology. His main research is on the Bronze Age, but archaeological theory and archaeological heritage The many naturally desiccated human bodies found at are also central to his research interests. In his books he Xiaohe have drawn worldwide attention. Their Caucasoid focuses on a European perspective on the Bronze Age, appearance even led some of them to speculate that these whereas in his archaeological excavations, he concentrates were Tocharian speakers who migrated from western on local areas in Sicily, Hungary and Denmark/Sweden. Eurasia. However, recent international research including The results of these projects are now in press. DNA studies have shown that the genetic make-up of these people is much more complex than originally thought. On of his recent projects is the creation of a Research Institute for Rock Art (homepage:www.shfa.se), making Dr. Idris Abdurusul is Honorary Director of the Xinjiang primary documentation of rock art accessible to the public. Institute of Archaeological in Urümqi (P. R. China). He He is further also engaged in an interdisicplinary collabo- is an internationally renowned archaeologist specialised ration at University of Gothenburg, called ’The Heritage in pre- and protohistoric archaeology of what is now Academy’ to promote research and teaching on cultural Xinjiang. heritage. Dr. Abdurusul has been active in the archaeology of He is currently also part of a new Marie Curie Xinjiang for about 45 years. He has been leading or par- project: Forging Identities (homepage:www.forging- ticipating in more than thirty archaeological campaigns, identities.com), which explores the movement of people, including in Astana and Jiaohe in the Turfan Basin, the things, animals and ideas in Bronze Age Europe. Gumugou site near the Kongque River, the Lop Desert, Niya, and Sino-French excavations in the Keriya Oasis in the southern Taklamakan Desert. He has written many publications in Chinese and several have been translated into other languages. Samenvattingen en biografieën sprekers Résumés et biographies conférenciers Abstracts and bios speakers

The Silk Road: Border Crossing SESSIE III - SESSION III (EN)

Early Monasticism and Anchoretic life in Egypt Early Monasticism on the Eastern Silk Road (Tarim Basin)

Dr. Karel INNEMÉE (Leiden University) Dr. Susan WHITFIELD (IDP, British Library)

Early monasticism in Egypt was a lay-movement with The convergences between the early monastic traditions a variety in ideals and ways to achieve these ideals. A of Christianity and Buddhism have been noted previ- common point was abandoning society, possession and ously and possible links between them discussed, if never physical pleasure, but for some this meant living an proven. austere life within a community, while others preferred complete isolation, sometimes going to extremes when it This talk will look at Buddhism as it spread from its came to abstinence and self-imposed asceticism. Avoiding homeland north and east into Central Asia, considering all passions and everything that could lead to fluctua- the growth and practice of monastic communities in the tions in emotional life was high on the agenda of most kingdoms of the Tarim Basin, in present-day western anchorites and monks. For the very beginning (3rd - China. Here the sands of the Taklamakan have preserved 4th centuries) we have mainly textual sources and little the buried ruins of numerous stupas and temples, while archaeological evidence to corroborate these mostly ha- the foothills of the mountains to the north are dotted with giographical texts. From the late 4th century onwards richly decorated cave temples. more archaeological information is available, illustrating the variety in ways of living (caves, hermitages, monastic Susan Whitfield will give a brief history of the discov- complexes). The common aim of detachment from the ery of these sites before looking at some examples of the world and its practical consequences (a complete apatheia architectural, artistic and textual legacy to consider the for instance) was not always welcomed by the institu- life of Buddhist monks and nuns in these desert oases in tionalised Church. From the middle of the 5th century the first millennium AD. Her talk will be illustrated. on wards we see a gradual incorporation of the monastic movement into the organisation of the Church, with a Dr Susan Whitfield is an historian of China and the Silk modification of certain ideals as a consequence. Road and Director of the International Dunhuang Project (IDP) at the British Library. She written numerous books To what extent do Christian and Buddhist asceticism and articles, curated several exhibitions and travelled have ideals in common and what could be the explana- widely across much of the Silk Road. tion for this? Although contacts between the Eastern Mediterranean and Central Asia are evident from before Her work at IDP involves directing an international col- the Christian Era, no indications for a Buddhist root of laboration to conserve, catalogue, digitize and research Christian monasticism seems to exist. Did archaeologists the archaeology and history of the Eastern Silk Road and overlook something or do we simply have a case of inde- the IDP website currently gives free access to almost half pendent developments? a million images of manuscripts, artefacts, paintings from this region and their archaeological context. Dr Karel Innemée is an affiliated fellow at the faculty of Archaeology of Leiden University and has specialised Her recent research includes a study of the transmis- on Eastern Christian culture, especially monastic culture sion of Buddhism architecture across the Tarim and the in Egypt. He has been the director of a number of research links with Silk Road trade. projects in and around Coptic monasteries in the Wadi al-Natrun region in northern Egypt since the 1990’s. Samenvattingen en biografieën sprekers Résumés et biographies conférenciers Abstracts and bios speakers

The Silk Road: Border Crossing SESSIE IV - SESSION IV (EN)

Hellenistic Sculpture East and West: Homogeneity Sculpture and the question of contacts between China and Diversity and the Hellenistic East

Dr. Judy BARRINGER (The University of Edinburgh) Dr. Lukas NICKEL (SOAS, University of London)

At the time of Alexander the Great’s death in 323 B.C., vir- In 221 BC the western Chinese state of Qin succeeded in tually the entire known world from Greece eastward was conquering the last of several competing polities in East under his command, a patchwork of disparate cultures, Asia. Its ruler declared himself First Emperor of Qin, Qin languages, religions, terrains, and climates. When the Shi Huangdi. The event that was a turning point in his- Greek world finally fell under Roman control in 31 B.C., tory and laid the foundations of China as we know it today. this Hellenistic period (c. 323-31 B.C.) had produced some of the most extraordinary works of sculpture from To mark his achievements the First Emperor designed a the ancient Greek world, when variety itself was a field of new iconography of power. He melted down the weapons artistic exploration. of the defeated armies and cast twelve giant bronze sculptures which he placed in front of his palace. Thou- One can trace the stamp of Hellenism - its manifesta- sands more terracotta sculptures of soldiers, acrobats, tions, uses, and adaptations to local cultures–but as one and officials as well as bronze animals were made to moves further east, Greek flavor and style exert a less equip the chambers of his gigantic tomb. This paper will assertive influence: Hellenism is present but muted in examine the extraordinary role sculpture played in the deference to local needs, tastes, and traditions. self-presentation of the empire. As it was a new form of art in East Asia, there were no local artistic traditions to Judy Barringer received her Ph.D. in Classical Archae- draw upon. However, at the time, public and monumental ology from Yale University in 1990. She holds the position sculpture was widely employed in Central Asia, by the of Professor of Greek Art and Archaeology at the Univer- Greek colonies in Bactria and the other successor states sity of Edinburgh, where she has been teaching since 2005. to Alexander the Great’s empire. The question arises as to whether the Emperor did find inspiration and skills Her scholarly work centers on the archaeology, art, and beyond China’s western borders? The lecture investigates culture of Greece, particularly the intersection between to what extent the emperor’s unprecedented interest in art, myth, and religion, from the Archaic through Hel- sculpture may be explained by interactions with the con- lenistic periods. More specifically, she is interested in why temporary Hellenistic world. images, particularly sculpture and vase painting, appear as they do and how they acquire meaning for ancient pa- Lukas Nickel researches the Art History and Archaeo- trons and viewers from their physical and social contexts. logy of China and the Silk Road. He has published on Qin and Han funerary art, Bronze Age archaeology, and Her publications concentrate on vase painting iconol- early Buddhist material culture. Recently he began to ogy, myth and religion, social history, and contextual concentrate his research on the early interaction between readings of sculpture in both public sanctuaries and pri- China and wider Asia. Lukas Nickel has taught at Zurich vate contexts. She has just finished a textbook, The Art University, University College London, Heidelberg Univer- and Archaeology of Ancient Greece, with Cambridge Uni- sity and the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. He is versity Press and is currently completing a monograph, A now reader at the School of Oriental and African Studies, Cultural History of Olympia and its Monuments, c. 600 University of London. B.C.-400 A.D.