关键词: 敦煌文献, 再生性回归, 数字化

Abstract: Since the Late Qing Dynasty, a large number of Dunhuang manuscripts have scattered overseas. Their physical repatriation is difficult to advance comprehensively due to legal, financial and other constraints. The regenerative repatriation pathways for the dispersed Dunhuang manuscripts encompass traditional methods such as transcription and photography during bookhunting trips, microfilm reproduction, photocopied publication, and critical edition publication, as well as new forms including fulltext digitization, digital donation, online database platforms, and digital exhibitions, which reflect the multidimensional nature of the manuscripts return. However, the repatriation process still faces several problems such as limited resource coverage and a low level of integration, international legal conflicts restricting resource utilization, as well as low utilization efficiency and shallow service levels. Therefore, it is necessary to further deepen the investigation of overseas collections, actively participate in rulemaking to enhance discourse power, improve platform functions to enhance user experience, and increase the participation of all parties. Furthermore, technological empowerment should be utilized to avoid the phenomenon of “emphasizing repatriation while neglecting utilization”.

Key words: Dunhuang manuscripts, Regenerative repatriation, Digitalization