Archaeological Perspectives on Multi-Ethnic Cultural Exchanges in the Yuan Dynasty: The Inheritance and Innovation of Non-Han Scholars in Painting and Calligraphy

Abstract

The "ethnic hierarchy system" of the Yuan Dynasty did not completely isolate cultural and artistic exchanges between different ethnic groups, with many non-Han scholars exhibiting a high degree of recognition of Han culture and art. This paper focuses on their identification and learning of the traditions of painting and calligraphy. In such artistic exchanges, non-Han scholars and Han scholars collectively built a common cultural foundation and formed a shared cultural imagination. However, while inheriting the traditions of calligraphy and painting, non-Han scholars also demonstrated distinct understandings of these traditions, leading to the emergence of new artistic styles. Their participation enriched the landscape of Chinese calligraphy and painting, injecting new vitality into the tradition. Through archaeological methods and perspectives, this paper explores the depth and breadth of multi-ethnic cultural exchanges during this period, revealing the significant contributions of non-Han scholars to the history of Chinese art.