Sanxingdui Archaeological Site
Samsungdui · Guanghan Sacrificial Pits
Shu Culture 1200–1000 BCE (Sanxingdui period III)·Shu (Sichuan Basin, non-Han?)·🇨🇳 Sichuan Province, Guanghan City, Yazi River, China
About
About Sanxingdui Archaeological Site
Shu Kingdom sacrificial pits (1200–1000 BCE) revealed 1929 and sensationally 1986 with two pits of bronzes unlike Anyang Shang: 2.6 m bronze standing figure, mask with 132 cm protruding eyes, and sacred tree 3.96 m. No city walls in situ – ritual deposit site showing southwestern bronze tradition distinct from Shang, destroyed contemporaneous with Yinxu.
Why it mattersShu Kingdom sacrificial pits (1200–1000 BCE) revealed 1929 and sensationally 1986 with two pits of bronzes unlike Anyang
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Shu ethnicity – Ba? Proto-Tibetan? Unrelated to Shang?
- 02Why bronzes smashed and burned before burial – ritual killing?
Theories
- 01Bronze tree as cosmic axis matching SanXingdui 'sunbird' later Jinsha
- 02Sichuan basin isolation generated independent metallurgy larger than Shang
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Pits sealed 1200–1000 BCE; settlement earlier 1600 BCE
- Period
- Shu Culture 1200–1000 BCE (Sanxingdui period III)
- Culture
- Shu (Sichuan Basin, non-Han?)
- Purpose
- Ritual bronze deposition and elite ceremonial center of Shu kingdom
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
Pits sealed 1200–1000 BCE; settlement earlier 1600 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1174 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
31.0010° N · 104.2770° E · 450 m · 3 mapped features
Sacrificial Pit K1 (1986)
pitBronzes including gold staff and 13 bronzes
31.0012° N · 104.2775° EPit K2 bronze tree pit
pit3.96 m sacred tree with birds and bells
31.0010° N · 104.2770° EBronze Great Standing Figure
statue2.62 m figure tallest contemporary bronze worldwide
31.0015° N · 104.2780° E