Tang–Song Period Jingjiao Monastery Remains at the Xipang Site in Turpan, Xinjiang

Abstract The Jingjiao monastery remains at the Xipang (Shüi-pang) site were excavated for the second time in 2023, uncovering a range of features, including houses, wall segments, passageways, ash pits, latrines, a stove, a platform, an ash mound, and a burial pit on the north and west edges of the hilltop and the east and north slopes. Additionally, a tomb on the southern ridge was excavated. These features exhibit evidence of renovation and reconstruction. A diverse collection of artifacts was unearthed, including Buddhist and Daoist scriptures in Chinese, as well as Christian texts written in Syriac, Old Uyghur, and other scripts. These findings provide valuable insights for research in archaeology, Western Region linguistics, and ancient Christian studies.