The Musty Attic

things I've read this week

Just a few things that grabbed my interest this week:

  1. Archaeologists uncover a 2000-year old Han Dynasty city

Archaeologists investigating an ancient city in south-west China have uncovered evidence of a major Han Dynasty urban centre, including fortified walls, streets, workshops and what researchers believe could be the only known Han-era “water gateway” yet discovered in the country.

  1. From Paris to Hangzhou: The $9m quest to return China's lost encyclopedia - translation of an article originally appearing on Jiefang Daily

For 140 years, part of the Yongle Encyclopedia sat unread in a Paris attic — a researcher’s keen eye and an entrepreneur’s deep pockets brought it back to China.

  1. A short look at Wudangshan on The Independent. Unusually, and pleasantly, lacking in the "look at the funny people" department. In other words, it's nice to see a travel piece that respects the people the journalist meets.