High-Altitude Routes of the Great Silk Road: New Data on the Reshui Burial Grounds, Qinghai Province, China

The article presents a study of the general situation of a unique site of the first half of the Middle Ages – the group (cluster) of the Reshui burial grounds in Qinghai Province, China. At that time, the area was inhabited by the Xianbei Tuyuhun tribes, who had come there from Manchuria at the beginning of 4 th century AD, and then, in 7 th century were conquered and controlled by the early Tibetan state of Tubo. The graves were carved into the rocky surface of the Tsaidam (Chaidamu) Basin, at an altitude of 3,400–3,500 metres above sea level. This setting provides an opportunity to explore the materials from the perspective of the population's adaptation to high-altitude conditions, particularly the establishment of new routes along the Great Silk Road. Despite the fact that Reshui graves were repeatedly robbed, nevertheless, they preserved a rich burial inventory. Large graves were accompanied by pits and trenches with dozens of sacrificed domestic animals, mostly horses. The large number of silk fabrics with drawings of different styles and inscriptions in many languages may indicate the main export–import goods (textile), while the abundance of gold, silver, turquoise, and other precious items may indicate the exceptional benefits of such trade. Based on these findings, it can be assumed that the “Qinghai Corridor” of the Silk Road, which ran through the highlands, was a permanent route that supplemented the main “Hexi route”, rather than being used sporadically when the way through Gansu was blocked by nomadic peoples.