Baisigou Square Pagoda

The Baisigou Square Pagoda was a significant brick pagoda constructed during the early Western Xia dynasty (1038–1227), with archaeological evidence pinpointing its construction to approximately 1075–1076. Situated in an isolated area of Baisigou Valley, northwest of Yinchuan in Helan County, Ningxia, China, the pagoda's name itself, "Valley of the temple," hints at its potential importance as part of a larger Buddhist complex.

Destruction and Discovery

Tragically, the pagoda was illegally destroyed in 1990 by unknown individuals, presumably to steal any ancient relics within. The incident led to an archaeological investigation of the extensive rubble. This investigation, led by local archaeologist Niu Dasheng, uncovered a remarkable collection of Western Xia artifacts and Buddhist relics.

Archaeological Findings

The excavation revealed a treasure trove of historical items, including coins, wooden artifacts, silk fragments, miniature clay sculptures of Buddhas and stupas, Buddhist relics, and a substantial number of books and manuscripts written in the Tangut language and script. Among the most significant discoveries was the Auspicious Tantra of All-Reaching Union, a previously unknown Tangut translation of a Tibetan Tantric Buddhist text. This work is of paramount importance as it represents the earliest known example of a book printed using wooden movable type, a groundbreaking development in the history of printing.

Historical Context

While no historical records specifically mention the Baisigou Square Pagoda, the surrounding area contains numerous Western Xia sites, and the presence of glazed tiles in colors reserved for temples or palaces strongly suggests an associated Buddhist temple. Niu Dasheng has speculated that Baisigou may have been the site of the Temple of Five Platforms Mountain (Wutaishan Si), named after the sacred Buddhist mountain in Shanxi province. The pagoda, originally thirteen stories high though partially obscured by mudslides, stood as a testament to the religious and cultural activity of the Western Xia period, making its destruction a significant loss to historical preservation.