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  1. Three 9th-century crucibles from Guangzhou just pushed the archaeological record of Chinese brass-making back nearly 600 years, and the evidence points to the sea, not the Silk Road, as the route knowledge traveled. #Archaeometallurgy #ChineseArchaeology #TangDynasty anthropology.net/p/three-small

  2. Phantom Time Hypothesis Theory

    This is a theory proposed in 1991 by German historian & publisher Heribert Illig. The hypothesis claims a huge chunk of the Early Middle Ages never happened. According to Illig, we’re not living in the year 2026, but rather around 1729.

    It hypothesizes a conspiracy by the Holy Roman Emperor Otto III & Pope Sylvester II to fabricate the Anno Domini dating system retroactively, to place them at the special year 1000, & to rewrite history to legitimize Otto’s claim to the Holy Roman Empire.

    Illig believed that this was achieved through the alteration, misrepresentation & forgery of documentary & physical evidence. According to this scenario, the entire Carolingian period, including the figure of Charlemagne, is a hoax with a “phantom time” of 297 years (614-911 AD) added to the Early Middle Ages.

    Illig’s claims include:

    • Holy Roman Emperor Otto III desperately wanted to reign during the monumental year of 1,000 AD, believing it would solidify his divine right & align with Christian eschatological milestones.
    • Pope Sylvester II had the theological authority & administrative reach to help alter the calendar.
    • Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII & the Eastern Roman Empire allegedly assisted in fabricating backstories, genealogies, & documents to legitimize the new timeline & secure political alliances.
    • There’s a scarcity of archaeological evidence that can be reliably dated to 614-911 AD.
    • Radiometry (measuring electromagnetic radiation) & dendrochronology (tree ring dating) are inaccurate dating methods.
    • Medieval historians rely too much on (older) written sources.
    • The Romanesque architecture in the 10th century Western Europe suggests that the Roman era wasn’t as long as conventionally thought.
    • At the time of the intro of the Gregorian Calendar in 1582 AD, there should’ve been a discrepancy of 13 days between the Julian Calendar & the real (or tropical) calendar. When the astronomers & mathematicians needed to be adjusted by only 10 days.

    By inventing nearly 3 centuries of history, these rulers could fabricate a glorious, heroic past to legitimize Otto III’s own imperial ambitions. Creating the myth of Charlemagne as the ultimate Christian King. From this, Illig concludes that the AD era had counted roughly 3 centuries that never existed.

    Illig based his hypothesis on a few distinct anomalies in the archaeological & textual record:

    • The Gregorian Calendar Mathematical Glitch
      • Illig’s primary argument stems from the calendar reform of 1582. When Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian Calendar to replace the Julian Calendar, the calendar had drifted out of sync with the solar year. The Julian year was slightly too long, drifting by about 1 full day every 128 years. By 1582, the calendar should have drifted by approximately 13 days. However, Pope Gregory’s astronomers only shifted the calendar by 10 days. Illig argued that this 3-day discrepancy mathematically proves that roughly 300 years never actually passed to cause that extra drift.
    • The Scarcity of Archaeological Evidence
      • The Early Middle Ages have long been colloquially known as a period of archaeological scarcity, because the period simply didn’t happen. He claimed that the Romanesque architecture of the High Middle Ages seemed to pop up too suddenly. Suggesting it directly followed late Roman architecture without a 300-year gap.
    • Forged Documents
      • It’s a well-known fact among medieval historians that the Middle Ages were rife with forged documents, like the famous Donation of Constantine. Illig weaponized this fact, arguing that if so many medieval charters, land grants, & Chronicles were proven fakes. Then the entirety of the era’s documentation could be a coordinated forgery.

    Here’s the opposition’s evidence:

    • Astronomy Doesn’t Lie
      • Pliny the Elder recorded a solar eclipse in 59 AD.
      • Byzantine emperor/astronomer Heraclius recorded a solar eclipse in 610 AD, right before the “phantom” era.
      • Independent observations from Tang Dynasty China, Islamic astronomers, & Mayan astronomers record celestial events that perfectly match the traditional European timeline. If 300 years were missing, every single eclipse recorded before the 10th century would be misaligned by 3 centuries when calculated backward using modern orbital mechanics. They’re not.
    • Dendrochronology (Tree-Ring Dating)
      • Dendrochronology allows scientists to date wooden artifacts & structures with absolute precision by matching the patterns of annual tree growth rings. Organizations like the Hohenheim University in Germany have constructed a continuous, unbroken tree-ring chronology for Central Europe that stretches back over 10,000 years. There’s no “gap” or missing 300 years in the oak trees of Europe. The rings form a continuous timeline straight through the Early Middle Ages.
    • Global Interconnectedness
      • For Illig’s theory to work, the conspiracy would have to extend far beyond the Holy Roman Empire & the Papacy. You would have to believe that the Islamic Umayyad & Abbasid Caliphates, the Tang Dynasty in China, the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in Britain, & the Maya civilization in Mesoamerica all colluded to invent 3 centuries of fake leaders, wars, literature, & internal history at the exact time, matching Otto’s fabrications perfectly.

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    #1000AD #10thCentury #1582 #1729 #1991 #2026 #325AD #45BC #59AD #610AD #614AD #911AD #AngloSaxon #AnnoDomini #Britain #ByzantineEmperorConstantineVII #ByzantineEmperorHeraclius #CarolingianPeriod #CentralEurope #Charlemagne #China #CouncilOfNicaea #DarkAges #Dendrochronology #divineRight #DonationOfConstantine #EarlyMiddleAges #Easter #EasternRomanEmpire #German #Germany #GregorianCalendar #HeribertIllig #HighMiddleAges #HohenheimUniversity #HolyRomanEmperorOttoIII #HolyRomanEmpire #Islam #JulianCalendar #JuliusCaesar #Mayan #Mesoamerican #MiddleAges #PhantomTimeHypothesisTheory #PlinyTheElder #PopeGregoryXIII #PopeSylvesterII #Radiometry #TangDynasty #WesternEurope
  3. Nara Ruins Win World Heritage Status, Reveal Ancient Lesson in Shrewd Diplomacy

    The Asuka-Fujiwara Capital sites in Nara Prefecture have officially been registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.…
    #EuropeSays #Japan #JP #ancientdiplomacy #asukaperiod #baekje #Culture #history #japanesehistory #kofunperiod #manyoshu #nara #Nihon #tangdynasty #UNESCO #WorldHeritage
    europesays.com/japan/64467/

  4. South Korea returns looted Qing dynasty lions to China in cultural diplomacy win

    South Korea has returned a pair of Qing dynasty (1644-1911) marble sculptures to China, a symbolic gesture as…
    #EuropeSays #Korea #KR #Beijing #China #Chinese #Japanese #KansongArtMuseum #LeeJaeMyung #liaoningprovince #Osaka #People'sDaily #Qingdynasty #Seoul #SouthKorea #Tangdynasty #Tokyo #USTHAADmissiledefencesystem
    europesays.com/korea/97698/

  5. My boyfriend brought home this bottle of Yang Guifei-themed lychee liqueur. I read out the inscription and then just kept going with the rest of the love story between her and Tang Xuanzong, which had unaccountably been left off the label…

    #TangDynasty #YangGuifei

  6. Zhao Cong, queen of the pipa

    Thick strings clatter like splattering rain,
    Fine strings murmur like whispered words,
    Clattering and murmuring, meshing jumbled sounds,
    Like pearls, big and small, falling on a platter of jade.

    –Bai Juyi, Song of the Pipa, Tang Dynasty

    Yesterday, as I was going through my audiophile music collection, I rediscovered Moonlight on Spring River, a track which I haven’t listened to for quite a while. The track features the extremely talented Zhao Cong on the pipa, a traditional Chinese musical instrument.

    Zhao Cong*

    The pipa, a pear-shaped stringed musical instrument similar to a lute, is extremely popular in China and has been played there for about 2,000 years. Although the origins of the pipa are uncertain, it is thought to have been introduced into China from Central Asia, India, or the extended Peshawar Valley area (Gandhara).

    Moonlight on Spring River, taken from the album The Sound Of China by Danish jazz and fusion guitarist, Hans Nielsen. It was recorded and produced across China, Denmark and Prague, Czech Republic. The song is best heard on reasonably good stereo equipment to appreciate the wide soundstage, deep bass notes, and the recording’s stunning dynamic range.

    https://youtu.be/frIr_4GaZ9A?si=80eqgobevCVMHJsT

    For her part, Zhao Cong is an exemplar of pipa musicianship. She has dedicated her life to promoting the instrument worldwide, having toured more than 50 countries, and is well known outside China. Her full biography can be found here on the Dresdner Philharmonie website.

    #BaiJuyi #China #HansNielsen #MoonlightOnSpringRiver #pipa #TangDynasty #TheSoundOfChina #ZhaoCong
  7. The coiled dragon’s scales catch the light in sharp relief, its sinuous body framed by trailing clouds in low relief. This mirror’s heiqigu patina—deep, lustrous black—suggests both age and deliberate artistry, a Tang dynasty ideal of elegance in decay.

    What detail in the dragon’s posture makes its movement appear suspended in time?
    #TangDynasty #ChineseBronze #ClevelandMuseumofArt
    clevelandart.org/art/1995.367

  8. Exploring the Vibrant Historical Ties Between China and the Philippines (500 BCE – 1000 CE)

    By: WPS News History Reporter
    Baybay City | April 20, 2026

    The relationship between China and the Philippines has deep historical roots, stretching back over a millennium. From 500 BCE to 1000 CE, these two regions engaged in trade, cultural exchange, and even conflict, setting the foundations for a multifaceted relationship that continues to evolve today.

    Archaeological evidence suggests that trade between the early inhabitants of the Philippines and Chinese merchants was flourishing as early as the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE). The exchange of goods was primarily facilitated by maritime routes, where Chinese silks, ceramics, and spices found their way to the archipelago, while Filipino products like gold, pearls, and agricultural goods attracted Chinese traders.

    As centuries passed, the arrival of Buddhism and Confucianism from China substantially impacted Filipino culture. Local leaders embraced these philosophies, integrating them into their governance and social frameworks. The Philippines became a melting pot of ideas, contributing to the early development of complex societies.

    By the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), trade relations intensified, with records indicating that Chinese ships regularly docked in ports like present-day Manila and Cebu. The establishment of trading posts allowed for the thriving exchange of culture, technology, and religion. Filipino communities began to adopt Chinese customs, which further enriched their societal fabric.

    However, the relationship wasn’t devoid of tensions. Competition for resources, coupled with piracy along trade routes, led to intermittent conflicts. Notable events included skirmishes between Chinese pirates and local communities, underlining the complexities of the relationship. Nonetheless, these disputes did not diminish the overall trend towards cooperation and interdependence.

    The historical ties between China and the Philippines during this pivotal period highlight a narrative of collaboration, cultural diffusion, and economic interdependence. As modern nations, both continue to navigate their shared history while addressing contemporary challenges and opportunities.

    In understanding the past, we gain insights into the current dynamics shaping China-Philippines relations, illustrating how historical bonds can transcend time, influencing today’s geopolitical landscape.

    #archaeologicalEvidence #Buddhism #china #Confucianism #Culture #History #maritimeRoutes #Philippines #TangDynasty #trade
  9. #Tangdynasty (/tɑːŋ/,[7] [tʰǎŋ]; Chinese: 唐朝[a]), or the Tang Empire, was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907, with an interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed by the

  10. 静夜思

    床前明月光,

    疑是地上霜。

    举头望明月,

    低头思故乡。

    Thoughts in the Silent Night
    - by Li Bai

    Moonlight reflects off the front of my bed.

    Could it actually be the frost on the ground?

    I look up to view the bright moon,

    And look down to reminisce about my hometown.

    #ChinesePoetry #LiBai #china #poetry
    #TangDynasty

  11. Tomb figure

    Ceramic (earthenware), white slip, pigment #TangDynasty (AD 618-906)

    China, probably Shaanxi Province

  12. This scale model of 8th-century #Changan (now #Xian) shows how densely packed the analent city was. At its height during the #TangDynasty, the population reached nearly two million people

  13. In the 7th century, the Chan master Huike was executed after rivals bribed the authorities and accused him of “demonic speech.”

    The biography that preserves his life does not present him as a revolutionary. It stages a tension: teaching embodied rather than institutionalized, clarity recognized without formal office.

    Huike: The Zen (Chan) Master They Killed
    mindlightway.org/zen-history-b

    #ZenHistory #Chan #TangDynasty #zen

  14. The bronze mirror adorned with phoenixes exemplifies Tang dynasty artistry, merging rituals and reflections. Its intricate design symbolizes the harmony of yin and yang, connecting time and culture. What stories might this mirror still hold?
    #ClevelandArt #TangDynasty #ArtHistory
    clevelandart.org/art/1995.389

  15. #Tangdynasty (/tɑːŋ/,[7] [tʰǎŋ]; Chinese: 唐朝[a]), or the Tang Empire, was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907, with an interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed by the

  16. Although the paint on the statues in this case has faded, women of the #TangDynasty court wore richly #dyed gowns like the ones in this 8th-century scroll by the famous court painter #ZhouFang.

  17. Thái giám Liêu Thủ Trung thời nhà Đường đã liều mạng sửa chiếu chỉ của hoàng đế, thay câu "xử trảm toàn bộ" thành "xử trảm chính thủ", cứu sống hàng nghìn người trong vụ loạn phe phái. Hành động bất chấp sinh mạng để giữ lại công lý và nhân tâm của ông trở thành huyền thoại hiếm có trong sử sách phong kiến Trung Quốc.

    #History #LịchSử #China #TrungQuốc #TangDynasty #NhàĐường #Eunuch #TháiGiám #HistoricalFigure #NhânVậtLịchSử #MoralCourage #DũngKhíĐạoĐức

    vtcnews.vn/ket-cuc-bat-ngo-cua

  18. A monopoly on #tea

    Tea was an important trade item, so important that emperors of several dynasties, particularly the #Tangdynasty (AD 618-906) and Song (AD 960-1279), attempted to monopolize the tea trade

  19. The Bowl with Old Pine and Poem embodies the elegance of Tang dynasty artistry, merging function with poetic history. The intricate craftsmanship and serene imagery inspire reflection on nature's resilience. What emotions does this piece evoke for you?

    #ClevelandArt #TangDynasty #ArtHistory
    clevelandart.org/art/2022.209

  20. #Tangdynasty (/tɑːŋ/,[7] [tʰǎŋ]; Chinese: 唐朝[a]), or the Tang Empire, was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907, with an interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed by the

  21. Today I want to talk about one of my recent historical crushes: Pei Xingjian 裴行儉 who was a 7th century Chinese general who was going to re-instate a Persian prince and halfway through for reasons unexplained straight up ditched him. Like there is some story to this that is one of histories mysteries.

    More thoughts down below.

    @histodons @militaryhistory #China #TangDynasty #intercultural #history

  22. The Finest Souls of Our Rivers and Alps, Paul W. Kroll, 2025

    A High Tang Poetry Anthology

    The first translation into any language of the only anthology of "High Tang" poetry actually compiled during that period, long renowned as the golden age of Chinese poetry. This anthology, of 230 poems in various forms by twenty-four different poets, was completed in 753.

    #OpenAccess

    directory.doabooks.org/handle/

    #books
    #poetry
    #Chinese
    #TangDynasty

  23. Head from #bodhisattva sculpture

    Stone #TangDynasty (AD 618-906) China, Shaanxi Province, Xi'an

    121485

  24. The image shows a #TangDynasty (618–907 AD) earthenware figure with traces of pigment, likely a warrior or guardian figure. These figures were often placed in tombs to guard the deceased.

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