WUHAN, Nov 16 (Wealth Pakistan): China’s ancient bamboo slips, once buried in tombs as silent records of early governance, are experiencing a major cultural revival. Museums, researchers and cultural institutions across the country are placing renewed focus on these early writing materials, turning them into symbols of heritage, creativity and national confidence.
Archaeological Sites Highlight Early Legal and Administrative Records
At a newly opened archaeological site in Hubei Province, curator Hou Liming stands beside a replica of a remarkable tomb where an official from the Qin era was buried with 1,155 bamboo slips.
These slips recorded laws on farming, agriculture, land, currency and property. Their discovery in 1975 reshaped understanding of China’s early administrative system and revealed how Emperor Qinshihuang governed his empire more than 2,000 years ago.
The newly opened site is part of a wider national trend to spotlight bamboo and wooden slips, known as jiandu, which were China’s main writing medium before paper.
Museums Across China Showcase Rediscovered Texts
On October 28, the Hubei Provincial Museum launched an exhibition featuring bamboo slips from the tomb of Marquis Yi of the Zeng state. These texts include details of funeral carriages and horses and are among the oldest known bamboo writings.
On the same day, Hunan Province reopened its upgraded Liye Qin Slips Museum, now displaying over 600 artifacts.
Visitors, including schoolchildren, expressed amazement at the sophistication of ancient records. Ten-year-old Zhou Shiyu said she was surprised to see multiplication tables and grain distribution logs more detailed than her homework.
Bamboo Slips Provide Insight Into Dynasties and Ancient Life
Liye is best known for the 2002 discovery of bamboo slips bearing nearly 200,000 characters on taxation, population, postal services, judiciary, medicine and other Qin-era affairs. These represent the most significant Qin-period find since the Terracotta Warriors.
China has so far unearthed more than 300,000 inscribed slips, mainly in Hunan, Hubei and Gansu.
Finds from the Warring States Period include Confucian and Taoist classics. Han Dynasty slips discovered in Gansu offer insights into Silk Road interactions, frontier administration and postal systems.
Researchers Say Slips Are Priceless Windows Into History
Chen Wei, a researcher at Wuhan University, said bamboo slips remain highly valued because they preserve reliable evidence of China’s early civilizations.
He said they help scholars understand political systems, cultural development and governance across different dynasties.
Digital Technology Gives Bamboo Slips a New Life
China’s renewed interest in traditional culture also supports the comeback of bamboo slips.
At the Liye Qin Slips Museum, a 3D virtual guide dressed in Qin-era clothing greets visitors and answers questions. Transparent digital screens allow visitors to rotate and enlarge high-resolution scans, revealing annotations and translations.
Museum director Zhou Dongzheng said digital tools help transform ancient slips into “living stories.”
Cultural Products Bring Ancient Scripts Into Daily Life
Gift shops now sell T-shirts, bags, magnets and cups decorated with bamboo-slip motifs. Visitors say these designs help bring ancient culture into everyday life and make history feel more accessible.
National Plans Support Cultural Revival
China’s cultural revival aligns with national development goals.
The Communist Party of China Central Committee recently released its recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), which call for boosting cultural creativity and fostering a thriving socialist culture.
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China made significant gains in the cultural sector, with 7,046 registered museums by the end of 2024—over 90 percent offering free admission. Revenue from the cultural industry reached 19 trillion yuan in 2024, with a profit of 1.77 trillion yuan.
Heritage Tourism Boosts Local Economies
Local governments are using regional heritage to drive growth.
In Longshan County, home to the Liye discovery, themed tourism routes attracted 5.15 million visitors in the first nine months of the year, generating 5.24 billion yuan in revenue. Over 30 homestays and restaurants now thrive on rising interest in Qin-era culture.
Bamboo Slips Become a Modern Cultural Icon
Curator Hou said the revival reflects growing cultural confidence, especially among younger generations.
He noted that bamboo slips, once limited to academic study, are now appearing in films, creative goods, digital displays and educational programs.
“They are becoming approachable, relatable and shareable icons of Chinese culture,” he said.