After their repatriation from the United States, the Zidanku Silk Manuscripts have found a new home at the Hunan Museum in the Chinese mainland. Experts are racing against time and fragility to digitally immortalize each fragment.
Each piece is first imaged, catalogued, and standardized to form a comprehensive digital archive. A high-precision holographic imaging platform then captures microscopic surface details, while continuous spectral scanning—from visible to near-infrared wavelengths—reveals hidden inks and pigments without any physical contact.
Next, researchers will use X-ray mapping to distinguish cinnabar and ink inscriptions in vivid detail. Unopened fragments will undergo micro-CT scanning, unlocking their layered and folded structures in 3D, all without touching the delicate silk fibers. These data-rich techniques feed into AI-assisted virtual restoration, enabling digital reconstruction and scholarly analysis.
This digital revival not only safeguards ancient artifacts against decay but also opens global access for researchers and enthusiasts, setting a new standard for heritage preservation in the digital age.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
