This volumes consists of selected papers from the 2004 conference of the Australasian Society for Inner Asian Studies. The papers cover topics relating to Ancient Chorasmia, Sogdia and China, Buddhist and Manichaean art, Middle Iranian manuscripts and Buddhist manuscripts from Afghanistan, Nestorian Christianity and contemporary Islam, Silk Road clowns and headcoverings of Central Asia. The collection highlights the range and depth of Australasian scholarship on Inner Asia and demonstrates that there are still many unexplored aspects of Silk Road Studies.
Table of Contents:
Part 1: Chorasmia, Sogdia and Uzbekistan: Alison V.G. Betts and V.N. Yagodin, Tash-k'irman-tepe Cult Complex: An Hypothesis for the Establishment of Fire Temples in Ancient Chorasmia - Dee Court, The Ordinary and the Extraordinary in Central Asian Headcoverings - Fiona Kidd, The Early Medieval Necropolis at Pap in the Ferghana Valley (Republic of Uzbekistan) - Michelle Negus-Cleary, Walls in the Desert: The Phenomenon of Central Asian Urbanism in the Kingdom of Ancient Chorasmia. Part 2: Christianity and Manichaeism: Samuel Lieu, Manichaean Art and Architecture Along the Silk Road - Vladimir Liščak, Early Chinese Christianity in the Tang Empire: On the Crossroad of Two Cultures - Geoff Watson, The Ultimate Evangelical Away Game: British Missionary Endeavour in Central Asia c. 1830-1930. Part 3: Buddhism and Islam: Mark Allon, Recent Discoveries of Buddhist Manuscripts from Afghanistan and Pakistan and their Significance - Ken Parry, The Buddha as Colossus in Central Asia and China - Colin Mackerras, Religion in Contemporary Xinjiang. Part 4: Silk Road Exchanges: Holly Adams, Clowns on the Silk Road - Peter Edwell, Palmyrene Art, Architecture and Religion on the Euphrates: The Early Evidence for a Palmyrene Community at Dura Europos.