Beyond the Texts: Observations and Reflections on the Materiality of Slips and Tablets (Jiandu)

Abstract

As a material medium of writing, slips and tablets (jiandu, 简牍) possess a materiality that is not to be overlooked. Their materiality is closely related to the texts recorded on the slips and tablets, while independently conveying information that the texts do not contain. Therefore, the value of slips and tablets extends beyond their textual content, and their materiality deserves significant attention. Focusing on the materiality of slips and tablets allows for a comprehensive exploration and extraction of the information they convey on a concrete level. On an abstract level, it provides insights into the cultural significance of their materiality within the contexts of cultural history and social history. Based on this premise, this study examines and reflects on four aspects, including the production and crafting of slips and tablets, their appearance and forms, their use and reading practices, and their abandonment and burial. This study advocates for treating slips and tablets as archaeological relics and investigating their materiality through various perspectives, methods, and scholarly concerns drawn from history, archaeology, paleography, codicology, and related fields.

Keywords

materiality of slips and tablets / life cycle of slips and tablets / taphonomy of slips and tablets / history of material culture

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