Bulayïq

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 10 kilometres (6 mi) north of Turpan city in the foothills of the Tien-shan Mountains.^[1] It is also known as Bīlayuq.^[2]

10th century, East Syriac lectionary (Luke 16), found at Bulayïq

The site is located in the arid Tapin basin. The remains there include a tell with mud brick ruins protruding from the desert sands. The ruins were excavated in 1905 by a German team 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]

See also

• Murals from the Christian temple at Qocho