National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage Receives Silk Road Research Expert Materials Donation

40,000 Books and Research Notes of the Late Nagasawa Kazutoshi

The Cultural Heritage Administration's National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage announced on the 7th that it has received a donation of approximately 40,000 Silk Road research materials from the late Professor Kazutoshi Nagasawa, Professor Emeritus at Waseda University. Professor Nagasawa was an authority on Silk Road and Central Asian history research. He is recognized for leading the comprehensive study of ancient cultural exchanges.

The handover ceremony took place on the 3rd at the National Gaya History and Culture Center in Gimhae. The family of Professor Nagasawa expressed their intention to donate, and books, video materials, and research notes were received. These will be stored in the archive within the National Gaya History and Culture Center, which is scheduled to open in September.

The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage stated, "These materials provide insight into the reality of ancient international exchanges in Korea," adding, "They will be importantly utilized for research on cultural exchange history and the preservation and protection of humanity’s shared cultural heritage." They further noted, "The materials will be systematically classified and organized for public access."

Central Asia, well known as the Silk Road, was a base for ancient cultural exchanges. Various glass products and decorated swords excavated from Silla and Gaya tombs are known to have been transmitted to Korea through this region.

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