"Dunhuang studies" (Dunhuang xue 敦煌學) represent one of the most important research fields of the East Asian Civilisations Research Centre since it was established in 1973. In the same year a team directed by Michel Soymié was formed, under the initiative of Paul Demiéville, for the scientific cataloguing and study of the Dunhuang manuscripts and paintings brought to France by Paul Pelliot at the beginning of the 20th century.