The Sanxingdui civilization, dormant for thousands of years, has once again stunned the world! Golden masks, bronze sacred trees, and protruding-eyed statues... These mysterious artifacts not only showcase exquisite craftsmanship but also challenge modern perceptions of ancient civilizations. Where did they come from? Why did they disappear? Are they traces of extraterrestrial life or masterpieces of prehistoric humans? Dive in to uncover the secrets!
The Discovery of Sanxingdui Culture
Sanxingdui culture is a significant archaeological discovery in China, located on the south bank of the Yazi River in Guanghan City, Sichuan Province, covering an area of approximately 12 square kilometers. The discovery dates back to 1929 when a scholar named Yan Daocheng and his son accidentally unearthed over 300 jade artifacts while digging a water ditch. These findings caught the attention of local military and scholars, but due to limited academic understanding at the time, their historical value was not fully recognized.
The Major Discovery in 1986
It wasn't until 1986 that the Sanxingdui site truly shocked the world. That year, two farmers discovered the famous Pit No. 1 of the Sanxingdui site, unearthing 567 artifacts. Shortly after, in August, Pit No. 2 was discovered, yielding 6,095 artifacts, including large bronze standing figures, bronze sacred trees, protruding-eyed masks, bronze statues, golden masks, gold scepters, numerous jade artifacts, and ivory. These discoveries elevated Sanxingdui culture to one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century, hailed as the "Ninth Wonder of the World."
Types of Sanxingdui Artifacts
The artifacts of Sanxingdui culture are diverse, including "foreign" items distinct from Huaxia civilization, objects infused with Central Plains cultural elements, and natural items. The craftsmanship of these artifacts is so advanced that even with modern technology, replicating them would be challenging. Particularly striking are the bizarre bronze statues, such as the "Protruding-Eyed Statue," "Bird-Footed Human," "Large Standing Figure," and "Small Standing Figure," whose appearances differ drastically from normal humans, sparking endless speculation about the origins and disappearance of Sanxingdui culture.
Foreign Artifacts Distinct from Huaxia Civilization
The most fascinating artifacts are the bronze statues, unprecedented in human history with their peculiar shapes. For example, the baffling "Protruding-Eyed Statue" features exaggerated cylindrical eyes extending 16 centimeters outward, resembling modern telescopes or crab eyes. The statue's ears stretch widely to the sides, and its face bears a mysterious, eerie smile. Some interpret this as depicting a mythical figure with "clairvoyance and clairaudience."
Artifacts with Central Plains Cultural Elements
Artifacts such as bronze zun vessels resembling Central Plains styles, phoenix-tail and taotie patterns, jade zhang tablets commonly used in Central Plains rituals, jade cong similar to those from the Liangzhu culture, tripod pottery for cooking, and remnants of silk products all bear partial or complete Central Plains cultural elements. On March 28, it was reported that bronze artifacts from the Sanxingdui and Wucheng sites shared the same metal source.
Natural Items
The natural items unearthed so far are primarily ivory and seashells. While the variety is limited, the quantity is enormous. Preliminary estimates suggest thousands of ivory pieces. If each elephant has two tusks, how many elephants were hunted? How were their remains handled? Where did these elephants come from? Perhaps ancient Shu was once a paradise for elephants.
The Origin and Disappearance of Sanxingdui Culture
The origin and disappearance of Sanxingdui culture remain a mystery. Some scholars believe that Sanxingdui civilization might be one of the earliest human civilizations on Earth, and its disappearance could be linked to the bursting of ice-dammed lakes around the Sichuan Basin. Additionally, the peculiar bronze statues unearthed at Sanxingdui might represent the appearance of humans from a previous civilization or deities worshipped by different ancient civilizations.
Conclusion
In summary, the discovery of Sanxingdui culture not only fills historical gaps but also provides a window into ancient civilizations. Although Sanxingdui culture left no written records, its rich artifacts reveal the advanced civilization and unique culture of ancient Shu. As archaeological work continues, we may uncover more secrets about Sanxingdui culture.
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