Archaeologists have unearthed more than 500 artifacts, including gold ceremonial masks estimated to be around 3,000 years old. These masks were likely worn by priests during sacrificial rituals. The discoveries were made in six rectangular pits.
At the Sanduigui archaeological site in Sichuan Province, southwest China, archaeologists have revealed invaluable cultural treasures. Among these are bird-shaped ornaments, two varieties of silk, and a bronze statue featuring intricate representations of various ‘beasts.’
While only a portion of one gold mask remains intact, experts estimate it to be about 84 percent pure gold and originally weighed close to 500 grams (approximately one pound). Another gold mask found in sacrificial pit number three shares a similar design but is notably well-preserved and nearly complete.
Since excavations commenced at the site in 2019, researchers have disclosed that the majority of the 500 items identified were crafted from materials such as gold, bronze, jade, and ivory, as reported by the South China Morning Post. They hypothesize that these pits served sacrificial purposes for an unknown civilization, with the artifacts having been ritually burned before their burial.
A partial gold mask was discovered at the Sanxingdui Ruins site in Sichuan Province. On Saturday, Chinese archaeologists announced new findings from this significant archaeological site located in southwest China.
The recent excavation at sacrificial pit number three within the Sanxingdui Ruins has revealed an intact and well-preserved gold mask. The Chengdu government, the capital of Sichuan Province, shared this discovery in a blog post. Sanxingdui is recognized as an important archaeological site and a popular attraction near Chengdu.
Officials believe that the gold mask, along with other exciting finds, will enhance our understanding of the cultural links between the Chengdu Plain and its neighboring regions. However, many questions remain regarding the mask’s intended purpose. An unnamed expert mentioned in the blog post suggested, “It appears that this gold mask was used for sacrificial rituals; however, given its larger size compared to a human face, it likely was not worn by an individual.”
This gold mask is one among over 500 artifacts excavated from the prehistoric Sanxingdui site, which is a celebrated archaeological location and a favored tourist spot near Chengdu.
A photograph taken on September 2, 2021, shows a section of a bronze altar found in sacrificial pit number eight at the Sanxingdui Ruins. It is still too early to draw definitive conclusions, and further archaeological work is essential.
If the entire weight of this gold mask surpasses 500 grams, it would be recognized as the largest gold mask ever discovered in China and the heaviest gold artifact found in the country. The mask was located in pit number five out of six, while excavation efforts are ongoing in pits seven and eight, which may hold additional significant finds.
In sacrificial pit number three, archaeologists also uncovered a rare and beautifully decorated bronze square statue dubbed ‘Big Mouth.’
‘Big Mouth’ stands two feet tall and exemplifies a distinctive southern style from the late Shang Dynasty, which flourished during the second millennium BC and marked the Bronze Age in China. The statue features intricate designs of animal and bird heads.
According to the Chengdu government’s post, a complete version of this square bronze statue has never been documented at the Sanxingdui site before. Additionally, two types of silk were found during excavations; one type was discovered among the ashes of the sacrificial pit, displaying a considerable amount of silk remnants, while the other was wrapped around bronze artifacts.
The post elevates the role of silk to a metaphysical plane when used for sacrificial rites, suggesting it acts as a medium for communication between heaven, earth, humans, and deities. It asserts that silk’s earliest uses extended beyond crafting exquisite garments to facilitating connections with the divine and the cosmos.
On September 2, 2021, an archaeologist was observed working at sacrificial pit number eight within the Sanxingdui Ruins site.
Recent excavations have revealed a delicate gold ornament shaped like a bird. Experts believe these findings will provide further insight into the cultural ties between the Chengdu Plain and its surrounding regions.
Known as the “Bronze Sacred Tree,” the Sanxingdui site showcases remnants of a remarkable and sophisticated bronze civilization, as highlighted by the Chengdu government. The relationship between humans and nature is depicted through silk, silkworms, and mulberry trees, reflecting distinct Chinese characteristics.
Sanxingdui was first identified in 1929. A major excavation in 1986 uncovered two ceremonial pits containing over 1,000 artifacts, as reported by CNN. Among the items excavated from sacrificial pit number two in 1986 was a bronze sculpture of a human head adorned with a well-preserved gold mask; this piece is now part of the Sanxingdui Museum’s collection.
In southwest China’s Sichuan Province, the Sanxingdui Museum displays a bronze sculpture of a human head topped with a gold mask—discovered in 1986 at sacrificial pit number two within the Sanxingdui Ruins.
On March 19, 2021, a team of archaeologists was photographed conducting excavations at the Sanxingdui site in Guanghan City, Sichuan Province.
Using specialized equipment, archaeologists are employing remote observation techniques to investigate sacrificial pit number five. These pits are believed to have been associated with sacrificial activities linked to an unidentified civilization.
On March 20, archaeologists leveraged their multifunctional archaeological operating system during their work at the Sanxingdui excavation site.
