A modern evaluation of small samples of paper taken from documents dated around 400 A.D. -- 900 A.D., collected by Sir Aurei Stein in China. The samples were taken from alongside where Clapperton had taken his in 1930, and were investigated by modern techniques not available to him. Using a polarizing light technique for fiber analysis, it revealed differences in fiber finish from that found by Clapperton. A technique using atomic absorption spectrum data for trace metais was established and used to give some additional information on the technology of early papermaking.