Donald Harper
Areas of Study: Department of East Asian Languages & Civilizations Department of East Asian Languages & Civilizations Center for East Asian Studies Contact: Email Interests:
Early Chinese civilization, focusing on philosophy, religion, and history of science
Centennial Professor of Chinese Studies in the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations and the College
Biography
In 1998, published a translation and study of the Mawangdui medical manuscripts (early second century B.C.). Currently working on a book-length study of early Chinese religion based primarily on recently excavated manuscripts dating to the Warring States, Qin, and Han periods. Also collaborating with colleagues in Paris to analyze Dunhuang manuscripts that treat various divination traditions, including comparative research on early Chinese divination and science.