The importance of Central Asia, also known as Serindia, was revealed at the beginning of the 20th century by archaeological finds along the Silk Road, which revealed an exceptional Buddhist heritage. The desert climate, favorable to the preservation of plant and organic matter, has allowed the conservation of unique documents, including manuscripts and important Buddhist images.
All the images on this page by Yipaer Aierken may be used with attribution and for educational purposes.
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The Map of Central Asia, image from Musée Guimet. 
Caparisoned horse, northern China Northern Wei dynasty.
Seated camel, China, Northern Wei Dynasty, 6th Century.
Painted merchant, Tang dynasty, 7th-8th century.
Seated woman, Northern China Tang Dynasty.
Polo players, Tang Dynasty, polychrome.
The merchant with a horse, Tang dynasty, China. 
A merchant with the horse, Tang dynasty, China. ​​​​​​​
foreign caravaner, Tang dynasty, China. 
foreign caravaner, Tang dynasty, China.
Terracotta, Khotan, Xinjiang, 2-3 century. 
Terracotta, Khotan, Xinjiang, 2-3 century. 
Funeral urn with three handles,  Tumshaq, Toqquz-sarai, around 500, 
Pitcher.
Tumshuq, Toqquz-sarai, Hall S, Chamber with the pit of urns. 6th-7th c. CE. Terracotta with green iridescent glaze.
Pitcher.
Tumshuq, Toqquz-sarai, Hall S, Chamber with the pit of urns. 6th-7th c. CE. Terracotta with green iridescent glaze.
Clay sculpture, Tumshuq, Toqquz-sarai, petit temple N, Xinjiang.
Clay sculpture, Tumshuq, Toqquz-sarai, petit temple N, Xinjiang.
Clay sculpture, Tumshuq, Toqquz-sarai, petit temple N, Xinjiang.
Clay sculpture, Tumshuq, Toqquz-sarai, petit temple N, Xinjiang.
Clay sculpture, Tumshuq, Toqquz-sarai, petit temple N, Xinjiang.
Clay sculpture, Tumshuq, Toqquz-sarai, petit temple N, Xinjiang.
Clay sculpture, Tumshuq, Toqquz-sarai, petit temple N, Xinjiang.
Female torso.
Tumshuq (?). Unbaked clay.
Head of bodhisattva, 4-5 century, Tumshuq, Xinjiang. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Head of the donor, 4-5 century, Tumshuq, Xinjiang. ​​​​​​​
Buddhist historical scenes (l. to r.): Sujati jataka, Shankhacarya-avadana (Sanjali-avadana), Visvamtara jataka (Sudana jataka). Tumshuq, Toqquz-sarai, Large temple B. 6th-beg. of 7th c. CE. Unbaked clay. Central section measures 75 x 76 cm.
Pelliot expedition 1906-1909. 
Buddhist historical scenes (l. to r.): Sujati jataka, Shankhacarya-avadana (Sanjali-avadana), Visvamtara jataka (Sudana jataka). Tumshuq, Toqquz-sarai, Large temple B. 6th-beg. of 7th c. CE. Unbaked clay. Central section measures 75 x 76 cm.
Pelliot expedition 1906-1909. 
Buddhist historical scenes (l. to r.): Sujati jataka, Shankhacarya-avadana (Sanjali-avadana), Visvamtara jataka (Sudana jataka). Tumshuq, Toqquz-sarai, Large temple B. 6th-beg. of 7th c. CE. Unbaked clay. Central section measures 75 x 76 cm.
Pelliot expedition 1906-1909. 
Funeral box.
Kucha, Subashi West, Necropolis at base of stupa near the large fort. 6th-7th c. CE. Polychromed wood.
Pelliot expedition, 1906-1909.
Funeral box.
Kucha, Subashi West, Necropolis at base of stupa near the large fort. 6th-7th c. CE. Polychromed wood.
Pelliot expedition, 1906-1909.
Funeral box.
Kucha, Subashi West, Necropolis at base of stupa near the large fort. 6th-7th c. CE. Polychromed wood.
Pelliot expedition, 1906-1909.
Funeral box.
Kucha, Subashi West, Necropolis at base of stupa near the large fort. 6th-7th c. CE. Polychromed wood.
Pelliot expedition, 1906-1909.
Fragment from scene of the Pure Land of the Buddha.
Kucha, Duldur aqur, NE sanctuary. T'ang period, 1st half 8th c. Wall painting.
Pelliot expedition, 1906-1909. ​​​​​​​
Fragments of preaching Buddha scene.
Kucha, Duldur aqur, NE sanctuary. Beg. of 6th c. CE. Wall painting.
Pelliot expedition, 1906-1909.

Fragment from scene of the Pure Land of the Buddha.
Kucha, Duldur aqur, NE sanctuary. T'ang period, 1st half 8th c. Wall painting.
Pelliot expedition, 1906-1909. 
Fragments of preaching Buddha scene.
Kucha, Duldur aqur, NE sanctuary. Beg. of 6th c. CE. Wall painting.
Pelliot expedition, 1906-1909.

 Fragments of preaching Buddha scene.
Kucha, Duldur aqur, NE sanctuary. Beg. of 6th c. CE. Wall painting.
Pelliot expedition, 1906-1909.
Worshipper.
Kucha, Kumtura. 7th-8th c. CE. Unbaked clay with polychrome.
Pelliot expedition, 1906-1909. Inv. no.: MG 23759.

Fragments of preaching Buddha scene.
Kucha, Duldur aqur, NE sanctuary. Beg. of 6th c. CE. Wall painting.
Pelliot expedition, 1906-1909.

The Pure Land of the Boddha Maitreya, Dunhuang, Gansu Province, 907 - 960.
The Pure Land of the Boddha Maitreya, Dunhuang, Gansu Province, 907 - 960.
The Pure Land of the Boddha Maitreya, Dunhuang, Gansu Province, 907 - 960.
The Pure Land of the Boddha Maitreya, Dunhuang, Gansu Province, 907 - 960.
The Bodhisattva, Guanyin, with nine heads and six arms, accompanied by the two boys of good and evil, Mogao Cave, Dunhuang, 907 - 960. 
Details from The Bodhisattva, Guanyin, with nine heads and six arms, accompanied by the two boys of good and evil, Mogao Cave, Dunhuang, 907 - 960. 
Western Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha, Mogao, Dunhuang, Tang dynasty (618-907), Tibetan period (780 - 840), first half of 9th century.
Western Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha, Mogao, Dunhuang, Tang dynasty (618-907), Tibetan period (780 - 840), first half of 9th century.
Foreign caravanner. Polychrome glazed earthenware. Date: North China Tang Dynasty 7th Century.
Foreign caravanner. Polychrome glazed earthenware. Date: North China Tang Dynasty 7th Century.
All photographs are protected by copyright.

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