Paper chase opens chapter on history

He adds: "Beyond the orthodox historical recordings on politics, dynastic rise and fall, as well as wars and conflicts, in the manuscripts, we can see the 'ordinary' history of people's lifestyles and ideas, which are closer to the truth of history per se."

Rong also highlights the irreplaceable status of Dunhuang documents studying how Buddhism developed in North China through the continuum of materials throughout various dynasties.

Zhao Xiaoxing, director of Dunhuang Textual Research Institute, which is affiliated to Dunhuang Academy, says the new database is an expansion of past decades' established studies of Dunhuang documentations, and will lay a foundation for more conservation and academic programs.

"Through the manuscripts, we can also strengthen our understanding of how various ethnic groups of Northwest China mixed into the big family of a Chinese nation," she says. "That will consolidate our shared identity."