Reviving Xixia in the digital age

Broadening reach

In recent years, many scholars like Miao have embraced digital platforms to share knowledge of Xixia with wider audiences.

For instance, Deng and his team launched a free online course on Xixia history in 2018, which was later featured on the Smart Education of China platform. They are currently developing an AI-powered English version to reach global learners.

At NXU, Deng offers an elective on Xixia culture, where students engage with relics through a digital museum and use VR to interact with artifacts. In addition, they can learn about Xixia through activities such as making ink rubbings of Tangut script or simulating archaeological excavations in recreated tombs.

"This course has attracted students from diverse majors, and the interdisciplinary approach sparks a lot of creative thinking," Deng said.

Deng's team is also developing a specialized large language model focused on the Xixia civilization.

"Much of the AI-generated content on Xixia is inaccurate or misleading," Deng noted. "Our goal is to build a reliable model that offers the public accurate historical knowledge and the latest research — free from myths."

Tian has also contributed to public understanding, participating in the writing of a book titled 80 Questions About Xixia.

The book addresses misconceptions held by some overseas scholars who mistakenly classify Xixia culture as Central Asian.

"The Xixia culture is an integral part of Chinese civilization — this is well supported by historical records," Tian emphasized.

He explained that Xixia was the first dynasty to honor Confucius as an emperor. It inherited and promoted traditional Chinese culture centered on Confucianism, spreading it across the vast expanse of Northwest China.

"The study of Xixia represents one facet of Chinese historical research, offering valuable materials and perspectives for understanding the formation of the Chinese national community from the 10th to the 13th centuries," Tian said.