The Oldest Chinese Wood block Print

The oldest Chinese woodblock print 
discovered so far is probably unless something older turns up this image below.

It shows part of the Diamond Sutra and Buddha and Boddhisattvas.

Consider this irony. The need for copies of religious texts created more literacy so that there would be readers availalbe to read secular texts and then newspapers.

The Printed Image in China

Want to learn more about printmaking in China?

This British Museum press Book is one of the best on the subject with its balance of image and information!

If you can't buy it try to get your library to do so as a reference book!