BEIJING -- As China celebrates the 50th anniversary of communist society and evolves toward a more prosperous future, it is once again recognizing the value of its rich past.
China never was the monolithic power it seems to be, but always a web of different ethnic, cultural and economic influences from Central Asia to the eastern seaboard. As the excesses of the Cultural Revolution fade, new archaeological discoveries remind us that ancient times were just as turbulent as the recent past.
Outstanding among 10 major finds in 1996 was a cache of over 400 Buddhist statues unearthed in the eastern province of Shandong, halfway between Beijing and Nanjing. The unique beauty of these images and the mystery attached to this large hoard aroused excitement among both experts and the public. As a result, 80 outstanding pieces have been selected for a superbly displayed exhibition at the National Museum of Chinese History in Beijing to mark the 50th anniversary of the Revolution.