UncategorizedSanxingdui is a most mysterious archaeological site in China, located in Guanghan, Sichuan Province. The ancient Shu civilization flourished on the Chengdu Plain from the Late Neolithic to the Bronze Age, 3,000-5,000 years ago. Spanning 12 square kilometers in area, Sanxingdui is the largest and longest-lived prehistoric city-state discovered in southwest China and is known as the “Source of Yangtze River Civilization”. Sanxingdui tourism has also become popular with the excavation. Symbolic artifacts found at the site—copper masks, golden scepters, and ritual trees—reflect a clear integration of religious symbolism and high-level craftsmanship that contradicts traditional descriptions of early Chinese civilization.
I. History of Excavation
Digging of Sanxingdui started in 1929 when a peasant Yan Daocheng excavated jade remains near the Moon Bay Terrace. But systematic excavation only started in 1934 by American archaeologist David Crockett Graham, who conducted the first scientific excavation and named the site “Guanghan Culture”.
The site became internationally prominent when, in 1986, two sacrificial pits were unearthed with more than 1,000 artifacts, including a 2.62-meter-tall bronze standing statue and a 3.95-meter-tall bronze sacred tree. Recent excavations (2020-2022) have unearthed six more sacrificial pits and nearly 13,000 artifacts, including ivory carvings and gold masks. Radiocarbon dating of the find is between 1131 to 1012 BC, supporting the late Shang Dynasty.
II. Cultural Significance and Mysteries
Sanxingdui artifacts overturn conventional wisdom regarding ancient Chinese civilization. The headlining controversies are:
Civilization Origins: Even though some speculated that the bronze masks (bulging eyes, angular faces, etc.) were hyper-realistic because they drew inspiration from extraterrestrial beings, scholars attribute them to indigenous innovations. The bronze casting process is the same as current Shang Dynasty practices, showcasing indigenous expertise rather than foreign influence.
No writing: In contrast to Shang oracle bones, there is no established writing system found at Sanxingdui. This is also typical of other non-literates such as the ancient Qiang, suggesting dominance of ritual or oral tradition.
Cultural connections: Although Sanxingdui is unique, it has connections to larger Chinese civilization. For example, its ritual wine jars exhibit Central Plains motifs, whereas sun-worshipping motifs, such as the golden bird, exhibit the influence of Hemudu culture along the Yangtze River.
III. Debunking myths, advancing knowledge
Sanxingdui’s downfall, speculated for reasons of flooding, earthquakes, or invasion, remains speculative. Geological evidence shows seismic activity upset local rivers and potentially caused devastating floods around 1000 BC. At the same time, deliberate destruction of artifacts, such as broken and incinerated bronze trees, suggests ritual in the midst of political or religious strife, perhaps an echo of Chinese mythology’s mythical “breakdown in communication between heaven and earth.”
IV. Concusion: Sanxingdui Tourism and Sichuan Cultural Heritage
A cornerstone of Sichuan tourism, Sanxingdui offers unprecedented glimpses into Chinese prehistory. The Sanxingdui Museum, with its iconic artifacts such as the Golden Mask (85% pure gold, weighing 500 grams) and the massive Sacred Tree, attracts visitors from all over the world. In 2023, the site was awarded the World Archaeological Forum Award for its contribution to the research on ancient rituals and cosmology.
For visitors, Sanxingdui completes Sichuan’s natural scenery with an entrancing in-depth exploration of the artistic and spiritual evolution of humankind. Ongoing archaeological digs imply new discoveries on every visit, rendering it unequivocally a bridge between myth, history, and modern science.
In case you’re interested in Sanxingdui culture, do not hesitate to contact our Chengdu Travel Service. We are committed to personalized service to assist you in creating new and stunning memories.
