国立情報学研究所 - ディジタル・シルクロード・プロジェクト
『東洋文庫所蔵』貴重書デジタルアーカイブ

method offers to a student who wants to go into details. For purposes of reference
and from the point of view of a general survey Stein's publications are unsur-
passed, though a certain amount of repetition is of course unavoidable. That the
planning of this publication is far below Stein's standard I am the first to confess.
And that in other respects my treatment of the subject has been somewhat dry and
lacking in imagination is of course solely my responsibility.

In coming, now, to thank all those who have contributed to the completion of the
book I must first and foremost address myself to Sven Hedin, without whose ini-
tiative it would never have been possible. I owe a great and deep dept of gratitude
to this Nestor of Asiatic exploration in my capacity of participant in his last big
expeditions in Asia. With his youthful enthusiasm, boundless optimism and pro-
found experience he was an unfailing source of inspiration, and a sure and steady
support. Impossibilities simply did not exist for him. Difficulties that seemed in-
superable to us others, he overcame. Here, at home in Sweden, he has never tired of
encouraging me and guiding me in my work, and has always met my faults and de-
fects with incredible patience and forebearance.

As this book is devoted to the archaeology of Sinkiang, it is also my pleasant
duty to express my homage to him as one of the first Europeans to make archaeo-
logical discoveries in this vast country, which by reason of its remoteness had been
in every respect an unknown territory for Occidentals. We Swedes shall not forget
that his contribution also in the region of Central Asian archaeology has been that
of the pioneer, and that his researches here have priority over those of many
foreigners who have since reaped laurels in his footsteps.

On my return from Asia, Professor J. G. Andersson showed the greatest kind-
ness in placing at my disposal in the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities (Östa­sia-
tiska Samlingarna) not only working room, but also all the advantages that this in-
stitution has to offer. Before a State subvention was granted for the scientific
examination of our collections he provided funds to enable me to make a start. It has
been a great privilege for me in connection with the text of the section on painted
ceramics to have the criticism of one with such profound knowledge of these matters
as he. I am glad of this opportunity of expressing my warm gratitude to him.

Most of the work on the grave-finds from Lop-nor here described took place dur-
ing Prof. Andersson's last journey to China, when Professor Bernhard Karl-
gren held the position of Curator of the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities. To
him I owe many thanks for his unfailing kindness and his readiness to help me in
linguistic and historical questions. I am also obliged to him for criticism of a part of
the text.

My former colleagues on the expeditions have all contributed in one way or an-
other to this publication, either by collections or by good advice. Especially must I
express my gratitude to Nils Hörner for his collections of archaeological objects

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