2026年1月16日上午，《哥伦布批注〈马可・波罗游记〉》中译本（以下简称《批注译本》）出版国际 学术研讨会在上海社会科学院举行。《批注译本》由上海社会科学院历史研究所、暨南大学澳门研究 院、西班牙加的斯大学（University of Cadiz）联合在澳门出版。本次研讨会围绕这部文献展开深入研 讨，旨在共同发掘文献价值，推动中西文化交流史研究走向深入。 《哥伦布批注〈马可・波罗游记〉》书影 开幕式上，上海社科院常务副院长干春晖指出，这部文献的核心价值在于连接了马可・波罗与哥伦布两 位改变世界认知的历史人物。马可・波罗撰写的游记点燃西方对东方的想象，哥伦布的远航实践加速了 地理大发现与早期全球化。当下文明互鉴、文明对话愈显重要，深入研读这部文献，有利于深入理解东 西方的历史脉络，也能为推动区域国别研究、开展不同文明平等对话提供启示。上海社科院历史研究所 副所长叶斌表示，《批注译本》的出版是对历史所史料整理传统的发扬与继承，能有效推动国内的中西 文化交流史研究。暨南大学澳门研究院院长叶农教授分享了促成这部拉丁文原文、西班牙文译文与中文 译文并行"三合一"译本背后的努力与艰辛。 研讨会现场 主旨演讲环节，与会专 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the impact of climate change on the decline of the Ming Dynasty, emphasizing that agricultural crises driven by climate fluctuations were pivotal in the dynasty's collapse rather than solely political factors or economic mismanagement [7][8]. Group 1: Climate Change and Agricultural Impact - The "Little Ice Age" began around the 14th century, peaking in the 17th century, leading to severe agricultural disruptions in the Ming Dynasty [7]. - Continuous droughts, particularly in North China, caused grain prices to soar, reaching ten times the prices in the South, which was unsustainable for the population [7]. - The agricultural foundation of the Ming Dynasty deteriorated, transitioning from localized famines during the Yongle period to a nationwide food system collapse by the Chongzhen era [7]. Group 2: Economic Analysis - The author,卜正民, challenges the notion that the influx of silver was the primary cause of inflation, arguing that the limited amount of silver could only affect luxury goods and not the broader economy [8]. - The economic structure of the Ming Dynasty was robust enough that the limited silver supply could not account for the widespread price increases, which were fundamentally linked to climatic conditions [8]. Group 3: Historical Research Methodology - The author utilized data from over 3,000 local gazetteers, extracting 777 records related to famine prices to substantiate his claims about the economic collapse of the Ming Dynasty [8]. - This data-driven approach provides a more nuanced understanding of the socio-economic conditions leading to the dynasty's downfall, moving beyond traditional narratives focused on political strife and rebellion [8].

Group 1 - The core argument of the article is that the crises faced by the Ming Dynasty in its later years were closely linked to climate change and the resulting rise in prices [2][5] - The author, Canadian sinologist Zhu Zhengmin, examines the historical context of the Ming and early Qing dynasties through the lens of natural history and global history, focusing on the impact of climate on agricultural stability [2][5] - The period known as the "Little Ice Age," which began around the 14th century and peaked in the 17th century, led to intermittent droughts that devastated agriculture, particularly in North China, causing food prices to soar [2][3] Group 2 - Zhu Zhengmin challenges the traditional view that the fall of the Ming Dynasty was primarily due to political strife, government incompetence, and peasant uprisings, suggesting instead that specific climatic factors should be considered [5] - He utilized data from over 3,000 local gazetteers, extracting 777 records related to famine prices, to substantiate his narrative of the Ming Dynasty's collapse [5] - The author argues that the influx of silver, often cited as a cause for inflation, was insufficient to impact prices significantly, with climate being the primary driver of rising grain prices [3]

Group 1 - The First Financial Annual Humanities Book Selection started in 2017 and introduced a mid-year humanities book list for the first time during the Shanghai Book Fair this year [1] - The top ten books of the 2025 First Financial Mid-Year Humanities Book List include titles such as "The Nine Incense Sticks of Global History," "Life Like Morning Frost: Law, Society, and Women in 'Dream of the Red Chamber'," and "The Arab Sands" [1][26] - The editor-in-chief of First Financial, Yang Yudong, emphasized the importance of humanities reporting in financial media, stating that it reflects the spirit of humanity and is essential for understanding human history and social dynamics [2][1] Group 2 - Yang Yudong highlighted the need for long-termism and idealism in society, which cannot be found in short videos but only in books, reinforcing the necessity of humanities and social science reporting [2] - The book "The Nine Incense Sticks of Global History" by Yang Bin explores the interconnectedness of seemingly distant historical events and their impact on Chinese history, advocating for a global perspective in understanding Chinese culture [4][5] - "Life Like Morning Frost" by Ke Lan examines the intersection of literature and law in the context of "Dream of the Red Chamber," providing a new understanding of female characters through the lens of Qing Dynasty legal and social conditions [7][8] Group 3 - "The Violin Maker of Delft" by Ramón Andrés delves into the cultural, artistic, and scientific milieu of 17th-century Europe, using the life of a lesser-known artist to explore broader historical themes [10][11] - "The End of Fantasy: A Biography of Mu Dan" by Yi Bin presents the life and struggles of the poet Mu Dan, highlighting his contributions to modern Chinese poetry and translation [13][14] - "Source Code: Bill Gates' First Autobiography" reflects on Gates' early life and influences, emphasizing the importance of family and education in shaping his career [16][17] Group 4 - "Abao" tells the true story of a Miao woman who was trafficked and later wrote about her experiences to inspire her daughters, showcasing resilience and the power of storytelling [19][20] - "The Shadow of the Sun: A Journey into Africa" by Ryszard Kapuściński offers a unique perspective on African life and culture through the author's extensive travels and observations over 30 years [22][23][24] - "Finding the Right Words: A Story of Literature, Grief, and the Brain" explores the author's journey with her father's Alzheimer's disease, blending personal narrative with medical insights [30][31] Group 5 - "The Men Left Behind" by Richard V. Reeves discusses the challenges faced by men in modern society, including educational and occupational disparities, and suggests structural changes to address these issues [33][34]