Program overview
Historical Philology (including Dunhuang Studies and Paleography) is a research direction under History, focusing on various ancient Chinese texts—from oracle bone inscriptions, bronze inscriptions, bamboo and silk manuscripts to Dunhuang manuscripts and Song-Yuan block-printed editions. Simply put, it teaches you how to read, organize, and utilize these "old treasures." Core courses include Bibliography and Edition Studies, Textual Criticism, Introduction to Dunhuang Studies, Paleography, and Studies of Excavated Texts. You'll learn how to distinguish authentic ancient books from fakes, piece together fragmented Dunhuang scrolls, and decipher the daily life of Shang dynasty people from oracle bone inscriptions. This major is perfect for those with a "passion" for ancient culture—people who love flipping through yellowed pages, are fascinated by the evolution of Chinese characters, and are willing to spend time on details. Chinese universities have a natural advantage in this field: for example, Peking University has a Dunhuang Studies Research Center, Fudan University has a Research Center for Excavated Texts and Paleography, and Wuhan University's Bamboo and Silk Manuscript Research Center is also very strong. Many schools collaborate with the Dunhuang Academy and the National Library of China, giving students access to primary sources.