The Context

Latest Episodes:

A New Chapter in Deep-sea Archaeology Jun 20, 2023

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Today, we’ll talk about the discovery and exploration of two 500-year-old shipwrecks in the South China Sea as well as some of the history of China’s underwater archaeology and its recent technological advancements.

Zhang Qian: Pioneer of the Silk Road Jun 13, 2023

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Today, we’ll introduce a Chinese explorer from more than 2,000 years ago who was the first person to provide the Han empire with a reliable account of the uncharted lands of Central Asia thus paving the way for the development of the Silk Road.

Cao Cao: Warlord of the Three Kingdoms Jun 06, 2023

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Today, we’ll introduce a brand new museum that was an instant hit when it opened in central China’s Henan Province that boasts over 400 cultural relics and offers a glimpse into the life of one of the most complicated and dubious characters in Chinese history.

Chien-Shiung Wu: The First Lady of Physics May 30, 2023

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Today, we are going to talk about a legendary Chinese-American scientist who devoted her life to the study of nuclear and particle physics and made significant contributions to the Manhattan Project.

Dunhuang Grottoes: Multicultural Oasis on the Silk Road May 23, 2023

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Today, we’ll talk about the mysterious beginnings of the famed Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang, their unique place in Chinese history, and how an international cast of dubious characters spirited away crates and crates of priceless relics at garage-sale prices in the waning years of the Qing.

Robert van Gulik: The Dutch Mandarin May 16, 2023

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Today, we are going to tell the fascinating story of Robert van Gulik, a Dutch diplomat and sinologist whose writings during the mid-20th century offered the war-torn world a deeper more fact-based view of both modern and ancient China.

The Story of the Tomb of Southern Yue King May 09, 2023

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Today, we’ll introduce you to the 2,000-year-old tomb of Zhao Mo, second ruler of the Southern Yue State, that has been turned into a wildly popular museum in Guangzhou giving visitors insights into the ancient Maritime Silk Road and the state’s twisted relationship with the Han empire.

Yang Jiang: The Story of a Literary Legend May 02, 2023

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Today, we are going to tell the story of Yang Jiang, a renowned lady who is remembered by Chinese readers for her translations and witty memoirs that gave a voice to the tragedies and triumphs of modern China.

Jiahu Bone Flute: Echoes of Prehistoric Civilization Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

Today, we are going to talk about a museum to be opened on May 18, which is International Museum Day, and we’re going to shine a spotlight on part of its collection – especially a bone flute from the Neolithic Age that first piped out a tune more than 8,000 years ago.

Interesting Chimes: The Story of the Zenghouyi Bells Apr 18, 2023

Show notes

Today, we are going to talk about a set of chimes from more than 2,400 years ago that reveal the musical theory of ancient China and, in doing so, has unwittingly rewritten global music history. Context.

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