This workshop takes advantage of recent archaeological discoveries in China and addresses some of the most pressing issues in the study of ancient cultures. Placing special emphasis on the history of the book, the workshop considers the following questions: What are some approaches to ancient literacy and manuscript culture? How are different ancient knowledges composed, circulated, transmitted, and stored? What constitutes some of the fabric of the diverse cultures both within China and beyond from the very beginnings to the coming of print? Calling for contributions from literary studies as well as the social sciences, visual and material perspectives and philosophical inquiries are examined, the workshop provides an open forum for debates on all these questions, and many more.