Chinese Buddha Sutra on indigo-dyed paper
Another manuscript that was found in Dunhuang, China, this fragment of the Chinese Buddha Sutra was taken from the city by the explorer Aurel Stein in 1907 on his journey along the Silk Road. It contained part of a poetic verse that is known as the gāthā. Most Buddhist text manuscripts were written on a paper with yellow pigment; however, this manuscript is unique in that it was written with an indigo pigment. This use of precious indigo pigment coincided with the popularity of its use on manuscripts during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE). The use of this color pigment signifies that this was a very valued and important manuscript for the people during its time.