Bulayïq (traditional Chinese: 葡萄溝; simplified Chinese: 葡萄沟; pinyin: Pútáogōu) is a locality and archaeological site in central Xinjiang province in western China. It is located 10km north of Turpan city in the foothills of the Tien-shan Mountains.[1] It is also known as Bīlayuq.[2]
The site in the Tapin basin is arid. The remains there include a Tell with mud brick ruins protruding from the desert sands. The ruins were excavated by a German team in 1905, led by Albert von Le Coq.[3][4][5]
Among the ruins was found a monastic library, where a trove of ancient manuscripts in various Iranian languages were found.[6] The texts show the influence of Orthodox and Nestorian Churches. Almost all known Christian religious texts in the ancient Sogdian language are from the Bīlayuq library.[7] The texts show the development and spread of Christianity in Central Asia.[8]
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