Deciphering the No 8 cliff carving.

A research team from Wuhan University's School of History, in partnership with the Chibi bureau of culture and tourism, has achieved a significant breakthrough by deciphering the previously illegible No 8 cliff carving at Chibi cliffs.

The Chibi cliff carvings, recognized as a national key cultural relics protection unit, constitute the largest and most extensive collection of cliff inscriptions related to the Three Kingdoms period (220-280) in China.

These inscriptions play a vital role in Hubei's efforts to develop a world-class Three Kingdoms cultural tourism destination. Among the 10 carvings, the No 8 carving had long remained unreadable due to centuries of severe weathering.

The team employed high-precision 3D scanning and digital image enhancement techniques to decode the inscription, revealing it to be a poem titled Chibi written in 1495 by Xu Ke, a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) official renowned for his integrity and strict adherence to the law.

The poem reflects Xu's recognition of the Han people's legitimacy and provides valuable insights into Ming scholars' understanding of the Three Kingdoms’ history and regional culture.

This breakthrough deepens our understanding of the site’s historical and cultural significance, providing nuanced perspectives on the narratives surrounding the ancient battlefield.

This accomplishment is part of a larger initiative to advance the historical and cultural exploration of the Three Kingdoms Chibi Ancient Battlefield, which involves systematic research and the digital restoration of historical documents and archaeological materials.