佛教考古在新疆:莫尔寺考古的发现与意义

Buddhist Archaeology in Xinjiang: Findings and Significance of Mo ’er Temple Archeology Site

新疆喀什市莫尔寺遗址经过三年考古发掘,发现了规模宏大的佛寺建筑群,出土了包含石膏佛像、铜钱、陶器、木器、建筑构件以及动物骨骼、粮食果核等在内的大量遗物,本文是对这些重要发现的初步整理和总结,对莫尔寺的始建、发展演变和最后废弃,寺院的总体布局和建筑结构、性质,以及其反映的丝绸之路文化交流特点等,形成了新的认识。考古发现实证了新疆多种宗教并存与传播的历史,体现了中华文明多元一体、兼容并蓄的特征,对新疆宗教演变史的研究具有重要意义。

After three years of archaeological excavation on Mo’er Temple Site in Kashgar,Xinjiang of China, archaeologists have found a massive Buddhist temple complex,and have unearthed a large number of ancient relics,including Buddha statues made of gypsum,bronze coins,pottery,woodware,animal skeleton,grains,and fruit kernels. This article is a preliminary collation and summary for these crucial findings,including the initial establishment,development,evolution,and final abandonment of Mo’er Temple,Mo ’er Temple ’s general layout and its architectural structure,and features of cultural exchange on the Silk Road that Mo’er Temple reflects. These new discoveries prove that Mo’er Temple is solid evidence of the coexistence and spread of multiple religions in Xinjiang in the history. It demonstrates that Chinese civilization is both unified and diverse,inclusive and understanding;and may serve great importance to researches and study on the evolutionary history of religions in Xinjiang.