Joseph Needham : CFT - Djiayukuan (Jiayuguan) 嘉峪關, Chienfotung (Qianfodong) 千佛洞 and Tunhuang (Dunhuang) 敦煌

Needham, Joseph.

Joseph Needham

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Photographs taken by Joseph Needham during the Northwest journey at Djiayukuan (Jiayuguan) 嘉峪關, Chienfotung (Qianfodong) 千佛洞 and Tunhuang (Dunhuang) 敦煌. When their truck broke down and a new engine was required, Dr. Needham and his companions were forced to stay at the Buddhist temple caves at Chienfodong for a month (30 Sept. to 29 Oct. 1943). For details of the full route and the persons who accompanied him, see the North-west journal (<a href='/view/MS-NRI-00002-00005-00012-00001'> (NRI2/5/12/1)</a>). Although he did not have a flash with him, Dr. Needham was able to take many photographs of the oasis and surrounding areas as well as the outside of the caves. The films and their photographs were not originally labelled in strict chronological order. Some sections of the negatives have not been developed because there are no images on the negative or because any images present are severely damaged or indistinct.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>These images are also available to view in date order <a target='_blank' class='externalLink' href='http://www.nri.cam.ac.uk/JN_wartime_photos/cft.htm'>here</a>. Dr. Needham records this journey in his journal ( NRI2/5/12/1 ). He also made a small sketchbook (<a href='/view/MS-NRI-00002-00005-00012-00004'> (NRI2/5/12/4)</a>) of some cave murals. A typescript of his report to the British Embassy on the trip can be viewed <a target='_blank' class='externalLink' href='http://www.nri.cam.ac.uk/wartime_extras/Needham_Northwest_Journey_Report.pdf'>here</a>, and a full itinerary here.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The journal, sketchbook, photographs and other materials relating to Needham's visit to Qianfodong were scanned and processed by the International Dunhuang Project (<a target='_blank' class='externalLink' href='http://idp.bl.uk/'>IDP</a>), with the generous support of the <a target='_blank' class='externalLink' href='http://dunhuangfoundation.us/'>Dunhuang Foundation</a>, and are also available via the <a target='_blank' class='externalLink' href='http://idp.bl.uk/database/search_results.a4d?uid=32351439;random=28493/'>IDP website</a> and <a target='_blank' class='externalLink' href='http://idpuk.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/needhams-enforced-stay-in-dunhuang.html/'>blog</a>.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Further information and resources are available about Needham's time in China from 1943-1946 as Director of the Sino-British Science Cooperation Office <a target='_blank' class='externalLink' href='http://www.nri.cam.ac.uk/JN_wartime.htm'>here</a>.</p>