Fascinated by the Orient: Life and works of Marc Aurel Stein

Sir Aurel Stein, the adventurous and sometimes daring archaeologist, was a controversial scholar. While he was viewed by some as a mere “treasure hunter” from the West, he was also credited with discovering, and preserving many valuable archeological finds from Central Asia and the Silk Road. Much evidence of our world heritage would have been lost or destroyed, had it not been for his work.

History can go on with the debate, weighing the pros and cons of archaeological excavations. Today, at this exhibition, we have a chance to see for ourselves, the man and the scholar, through the collection he bequeathed to the Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. On display will also be some rare books on Aurel Stein, some of which I donated from my private collection to Chinese World Cultural Heritage Foundation. As a peace loving people, we Chinese will understand that what appeared to be misbehaviors by explorers such as Sir Aurel Stein, were ultimately for the good of all human kind, by preserving our history.

I am delighted to be part of this privileged event. I hope there will be many more similar exhibitions. They will improve the appreciation for the important work of these explorers and archaeologists, which in turn, I hope, will enhance the understanding of the world’s history and heritage, and eventually bring peace and harmony to the civilizations of the world.

Paul KAN
Chair of Champion Technology Group, A Better Tomorrow, and
Chinese World Cultural Heritage Foundation

東方奇程：史坦因的生平與著作

史坦因是一位具爭議性的學者，也是一位喜歡冒險且具膽色的考古學家。儘管有些人只視他為來自西方的尋寶者；然而，有些則對他作出嘉許，認為他發現並保存了許多中亞及絲綢之路上具價值的考古發現。沒有他的工作，我們或會丟失許多世界遺產證據。

歷史可以繼續就考古發掘的利弊作出辯論；然而，今天，在這個展覽會上，透過史坦因遺留給匈牙利科學院圖書館的收藏品，我們當有機會親眼求證這位學者的生平。除此以外，是次展品還包括一些有關史坦因的珍貴書集，當中包括本人捐給中華世界文化遺產保護基金的私人珍藏。中國人愛好和平，我們明白探險家包括史坦因的一些看似不解行為，最終卻能保存歷史，裨益人類。

盛事當前，本人有幸參與，深感欣喜。盼望日後能有更多類似展覽，讓人們對探險家及考古學家任重道遠的工作更了解更欣賞，從而加深對世界歷史及文化遺產的認識，為世界文明帶來和平與祥和。

簡文樂
「冠軍科技集團」、「更好明天」及
「中華世界文化遺產保護基金」主席