On 16-30 October 2021, the Research Centre for History and Culture of BNU (Zhuhai) has conducted an online lecture series "Origins of Chinese and Mesopotamian History-Writing" (historywriting.org/). The event, hosted by Dr. Yegor Grebnev, and jointly organized with SUSTech (Shenzhen) and SISU (Shanghai), was focused on the early historiographic practices in ancient China and Mesopotamia. Most lectures were presented in English, and simultaneous interpretation was provided for those participants who preferred to follow the conversation in Mandarin. During the first round of the conversation, Dr. Yegor Grebnev has given a talk about early Chinese historical texts constructed to provide models for social relations in the present and future. Prof. Wang Xianhua from Shanghai International Studies University gave a talk concerning the perceptions of historical time in ancient Sumer.

The workshop attracted substantial attention from Chinese and international audiences and its sessions were attended by an impressive number of participants from China and abroad. Although the comparative study of Chinese and Mesopotamian history can help to make great advancements in the understanding of the ancient world, relatively little research has been conducted in this area so far. The organizer of the event, Dr. Yegor Grebnev, will be exploring opportunities for new collaborative projects aiming to investigate this theme at a greater depth, stimulating the discussion in both Chinese and foreign academic communities.

Dr. Yegor Grebnev

From: The Research Centre for History and Culture (RCHC)