What kinds of manuscripts were found in the Mogao Caves library?

The library discovered in the Mogao Caves contained a vast collection of approximately 50,000 to 60,000 items, including paper manuscripts, printed documents, and fragments dating from the 5th to the 11th century.12

This collection is notable for its religious and cultural diversity, featuring:

• Religious Scriptures: The library held texts representing Buddhism, as well as Daoist, Zoroastrian, and Nestorian scriptures.1
• Secular Texts: A vast number of secular documents were also preserved, providing insight into the daily life and history of the region.12
• Linguistic Diversity: The documents were written in several languages, including Chinese, Tibetan, Sanskrit, Khotanese, and Uighur.2

In addition to these written records, the collection included rare textiles, silk banners, and paintings. These items were sealed in a cave around 1015 and remained hidden until their discovery in 1900.21