Scientific Controversy over the Existence of the Papers Invented before Ts'ai Lun

Abstract

During the past half a century archaeologists in China excavated some paper-like remnants dating from the Western Han Dynasty. Based on these findings, Pan Jinxing proposed that paper was invented before Ts'ai Lun, doubting on his contribution to the invention of papermaking technology. With the publication of new Academic Journal named "Paper History Study", China Technical Association of the Paper Industry Society members strongly opposed his opinions by re-analyses all of the unearthed papers and historical references. The major counter-evidences are as follows: a. there existed mis-judgments on produced ages of unearthed papers or paper-like objects, b. Some of the unearthed papers reported were not paper but paper-like objects made of botanical fibers bundles due to natural force or primitive paper-like models and the stormy discussion was made on the definition of paper, c. there are referential supports on the Ts'ai Lun's originality on the invention of papermaking. These conclusive remarks expressed by the Association of Paper Industry were compared with those of Pan Jinxing in the form of the table. The final conclusion on the existence of "the papers before Ts'ai Lun", therefore, must await further scientific analyses by the disinterested party.