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Hessari M, Sarmadijou A. (2025). New Perspectives on Sogdian Societies in North China. Parseh J. Archaeol. Stud.. 9(31), 155-172. doi:10.61882/PJAS.1240
URL: http://journal.richt.ir/mbp/article-1-1240-en.html

Since the Achaemenid period, Iranians, as rulers of part of the Silk Road, played a critical role in maintaining the security and infrastructure of this trade network. The Sogdians, as representatives of the eastern Iranian cultural sphere, held a particularly influential role in trade and intercultural communications from the mid-third century to the eighth century CE. Beyond their activities as merchants along the Silk Road, the Sogdians developed a form of “Silk Peace Diplomacy,” establishing a sustained presence in Chinese territories. As one of the prominent eastern Iranian groups, Sogdian merchants promoted a diplomacy of coexistence along the Silk Road. In particular, findings from northern China over the past two decades highlight the tangible and diplomatic dimensions of the Sogdian presence, emphasizing their pivotal role in what may be termed the “Silk Peace.” Archaeological excavations in northern China-notably the discovery of Sogdian family tombs-although initially reported through preliminary studies, reveal important aspects of Sogdian inscriptions, artistic expressions, spiritual beliefs, and especially mural paintings. These findings provide invaluable insight into the Sogdians’ integration into Chinese society. The primary objective of this research is to introduce the newly uncovered Sogdian cultural materials in northern China to the broader scholarly community concerned with Iranian cultural history, and to illustrate the significance of the Sogdians’ presence within their new geographical context in China. The research findings demonstrate the evolution of Sogdian communities in northern China from initially closed, self-contained groups to more open societies engaging in dynamic cultural interactions with the Chinese. It appears that the Sogdians initially migrated to China as families of artists, craftsmen, and merchants. Over time, they integrated into Chinese society while maintaining distinct aspects of their Iranian heritage, thus shaping an enduring pattern of cultural exchange between the Sogdian and Chinese civilizations.