At the beginning of the 20th century, some adventurers from imperialist countries carried away various ancient art works and writings from Central Asia (Turkestan). They were: Aurel Stein (Britain), Paul Pelliot (France), Albert von Le Coq (Germany) and others. The Chinese called them "western devils", and even Europeans called them "silk road devils" or "archeological raiders".

The lecturer addresses two issues in connection with this:

1) Was the archaeological expedition by imperialist countries in Central Asia (Turkestan) justified? Was it robbery or salvage? The Chinese say they were "robbers", while they themselves argue that they were "saviours". It is easy to understand the Chinese point of view, but what are the Devils' arguments?

2) How to solve the problem of returning art works to their country of origin. Should they be returned? The question is important and the subject of passionate discussion at present. UNESCO already has a treaty on the subject, but it is a non-binding law and its effect is thus very limited. Returns are now taking place mainly by negotiation, gift or purchase by the countries concerned, but the result is generally unsatisfactory for both parties.

The lecturer has visited famous caves (Dunhuang, Bezeklik), a tomb (Astana), and ruins (Kaoĉang, Jiaohe) on the Silk Road, where the devils stole ancient writings, and where they cut out murals, and, further, to see the real state of the stolen goods, has visited the museums in which they are exhibited: the British Museum in London, the Guimet in Paris, the Ethnological in Berlin, the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, the National Museums in Tokyo and Seoul, and so on.

Based on this research, the lecturer has found a very rational and practicable solution for the problem. In conclusion the lecturer will show photos of famous places on the Silk Road and of art works from various museum.