文化中国行丨乘法口诀表倒着背、基层小吏工作日志 千年简牍再现古人日常

Core Viewpoint - The exhibition "Reading China - The Unearthed Bamboo and Wooden Slips of China" showcases the historical significance of bamboo and wooden slips as vital writing mediums in ancient China, providing irreplaceable evidence for literature, cultural transmission, and historical research from the Warring States to the Wei-Jin period [1][2]. Group 1: Historical Significance - Bamboo and wooden slips, referred to as "jian" and "du," were used as early as the Shang Dynasty, with the earliest archaeological finds dating back to the Warring States period [2]. - The exhibition features the oldest bamboo slip discovered, measuring approximately 75 centimeters, which has remained legible for over 2400 years [4]. - A collection of 230 artifacts, including slips from various historical periods, illustrates the evolution of bamboo and wooden slips as the main writing medium and their role in recording Chinese civilization [8]. Group 2: Cultural Insights - The exhibition includes the "Legal Q&A" from the Sleep Tiger Earth Qin slips, which contains the earliest known "minor protection law," defining minors by height rather than age [10]. - The exhibition also showcases the earliest known multiplication table, discovered on a wooden slip from the Qin Dynasty, which is formatted in reverse order compared to modern versions [12][14]. - Various slips document daily life, such as the "work logs" of local officials and the earliest known "chicken consumption" records from the Silk Road, highlighting the administrative and social aspects of ancient life [15][19]. Group 3: Culinary Records - The Han slips from Youlin Tiger Creek record detailed recipes for dishes like beef porridge and steamed fish, representing the earliest known culinary documentation in China [17]. - The exhibition emphasizes the similarities between ancient and modern lifestyles, fostering a "dialogue across time" and a resonance between past and present [19].