UC Berkeley Mongolia Initiative

09/14/2026

"Tang Music in Contemporary China: Sensing Artistry Through Time"

A conference on music of the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE).

UC Berkeley
October 8-10
125 Morrison Hall & Hertz Hall

The resplendent court-entertainment music of the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE), born from cultural exchange along the early Silk Road, has always loomed large in histories of Chinese music. But in today’s China, reconstructive performances of this music have begun to assert its place — as living, breathing performance art — in concert halls and social media feeds, too. This conference brings together scholars and performers from across the world, including leading and emerging experts from China, to present, evaluate, and propel forward global scholarly and artistic discourse on Tang music in the contemporary world.

Papers will explore the material culture of the Silk Road, early notations and musical instruments, techniques of historical reconstruction and performance, and the place of historical music and dance in contemporary Chinese society. Three leading ensembles from China and the United States will give live performances of Tang music and dance, followed by a roundtable discussion bringing scholarship and performance into critical dialogue.

Program available here:
https://events.berkeley.edu/live/files/57-tang-music-in-contemporary-china

(Please note this program is subject to changes. Please check regularly for updates)

04/14/2026

04/21/2025

Baasanjav Terbish's new book, "Humans, Dogs, and Other Beings" was recently published by Open Book Publishers. It is available in Open Access and can be downloaded free of charge here https://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0450

03/02/2025

11/10/2024

09/30/2024

MACROHISTORICAL DYNAMICS IN EURASIA Conference

October 25, 2024 —— 9am - 6pm

370 Dwinelle Hall
South Dr
Berkeley campus

This conference engages in a comprehensive examination of the long-term historical processes that have shaped Eurasia. Focusing on the intersection of climate change, agricultural innovation, genetic evolution, and nomadic networks, among others, it aims to unravel the complex dynamics that have influenced the development of societies across this vast continent.

Key discussions will explore the impact of climate fluctuations on constructed landscapes, the domestication and dissemination of crops that underpinned agricultural and economic transformations, the role of genetic diversity in human migration and adaptation, and the intricate networks established by nomadic communities that facilitated trade, communication, and cultural exchange across immense distances.

Through a multidisciplinary approach, this conference seeks to illuminate the deep interconnections between environmental, biological, and social factors in shaping Eurasia’s historical trajectory.


——— Program ———

*** Morning Session (9am-12pm)

Michael Frachetti, Washington University in St. Louis
Formation:Reformation — The Long Route of Eurasian History

William Taylor, University of Colorado
Horses, Domestic Animals, and Ancient Connections Across East and Inner Asia

Milinda Hoo, Utrecht University
Globalizing Mnemonic Geographies: A Cultural Approach to the Impact of Nomads on Ancient Eurasian Connectivity

Robert Spengler, Max Planck Institute
Domesticating Earth

*** Afternoon Session (1:30pm-6pm)

Rasmus Bjørn, Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology
Eurasia Connected: Linguistic Trails from the Neolithic to the Iron Age

Ainash Childebayeva, Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Austin
Genetic Analysis of High Status Iron Age Scythian Individuals from Central Asia

Kate Franklin, Birbeck, University of London
Trading Natures: Green-Worlds Along the Medieval Silk Road

Derek Heng, Northern Arizona University
Maritime Climate Change?

Sitta von Reden, University of Freiburg
Climate Change along the Silk Road?

11/28/2023

Recently released in Open Access, the book "Dice and Gods on the Silk Road," by Brandon Dotson, Constance A. Cook, and Zhao Lu, focuses on Dunhuang manuscripts, and deals with texts and traditions from both India and Central Asia.

https://brill.com/display/title/59960

01/04/2023

MONGOLIA FIELD SCHOOL 2023: WHERE ADVENTURE MEETS SCHOLARSHIP

We will hold an Informational Webinar January 18, 2023 at 8pm EST, 5pm PST, which is January 19, 2023 9am ULAT.

Signup here to attend or receive the recording: https://forms.gle/hiEFyVSNcBrbUkm58

Join our informational webinar about the ACMS Mongolia Field School 2023, with the International and Mongolian instructors who will be teaching the courses in summer 2023. In the live webinar we will go over the details for each of the Field School courses to give more information on the content and itinerary, travel details, the application process and the fellowships available. We will be ready to answer any questions you may have on the courses or program. If you are unable to attend the webinar it will be recorded and made available for viewing. Even if you are unable to attend please register and we will send you a link to the recording as soon as it comes available. Click here to register for the webinar.

About the Mongolia Field School
We invite you to participate in the Mongolia Field School where you will have the opportunity to visit areas of the country off the beaten path, experience local life and culture and conduct academic field work and educational explorations. You will join a small group that includes both international and Mongolian participants offering a chance to make new friends and connections. Everyone is welcome to apply - whether you are a student, a teacher or a lifelong learner, our program offers a unique experience where you will gain new insights and take away memories that will last a lifetime. A significant number of fellowships are available for participants thanks to the generous support of the Henry Luce Foundation and other donors, with awards based on merit, diversity, and need. All applicants who apply by the March 1, 2023 deadline are given priority consideration for fellowship awards. You can apply for one course, or stay on in Mongolia and participate in up to two MFS 2023 courses (Course 1 and either Course 2 or 3).

Course 1: Discovering The Sonic World of The Mongolian Countryside: June 2-June 15
Course 2: Climate Change and Public Health: What does climate change mean for the people of Mongolia?: June 19-July 4
Course 3: Mongolian Buddhism, Nature, and Conservation: June 19-July 4

Priority deadline is March 1, 2023, final deadline April 30, 2023.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE
https://www.mongoliacenter.org/mfs23/?

Contact Info: Tuvshinzaya Tumenbayar, American Center for Mongolian Studies
Contact Email: [email protected]
URL: https://www.mongoliacenter.org/mfs23/

Mongolia Field School 2023 Where adventure meets scholarship... MONGOLIA FIELD SCHOOL 2023 OPEN There will be three courses in the Summer of 2023 on site in Mongolia for Mongolia Field School 2023. These Mongolia Field School courses will be offered for Summer 2023: Discovering The Sonic World of Th...