China: Section of a late Tang Dynasty star chart representing the North Polar region. Mogao Caves, Dunhuang, Gansu, c. 7th-8th century

The Dunhuang map or Dunhuang Star map is one of the first known graphical representations of stars from ancient Chinese astronomy, dated to the Tang Dynasty (618–907). Before this map, much of the star information mentioned in historical Chinese texts had been questioned.

The map provides a graphical verification of the star observations, and are part of a series of pictures on one of the Dunhuang manuscripts. The Dunhuang Star map is to date the world's oldest complete preserved star atlas.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Pictures From History

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SILK ROAD