Old photo of Hotan, Xinjiang in 1906, taken by Stein

Share a group of photos taken between 1906 and 1908 by Stein of Hotan, Xinjiang

Marc Aurel Stein 1862— 1943, an Englishman. Hungarian origin. In his early years, he studied in Vienna, Leipzig and other universities, and later studied Oxford University and London University. From 1887 to British India, he served as President of Lahore Oriental College, President of University of Calcutta, etc. With the support of the British and Indian governments, they successively carried out three Central Asian expeditions. The first Central Asian expedition (1900-1901), the second expedition (1906— 1908), and the third expedition (1913-1915)

This group of photos is from the book Ruins of desert Cathay: personal narrative of exploration in Central Asia and western most China, which was published after his second expedition. The Chinese name is Ruins in the Chinese Desert or Ruins in the Chinese Desert. The Records of the Khitan Ruins in the Desert was published in London in 1912

During this expedition in 1906-1908, in addition to revisiting Hotan and Nya sites, Stein also excavated the ancient Loulan sites, went deep into the Hexi Corridor, dug a large number of Han bamboo slips along the Great Wall near Dunhuang, and visited Mogao Grottoes

At that time, he not only saw exquisite murals and painted sculptures in Mogao Grottoes, but also used various means, especially“ Tang Monk’s Disciple” In the name of Wang Yuanlu, he cheated the Taoist priest Wang Yuanlu into believing in him and exchanged a large number of scriptures, documents and works of art from the Taoist priest Wang with very little silver. When he left Mogao Grottoes, only 24 boxes of scriptures and documents were filled, and 5 boxes of fine silk paintings, embroidery works and other cultural relics were packed

The following photos were taken in Hotan