# Sanxingdui artefacts baffle experts, rewrite China’s origin 2026-08-08T10:41:20+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet In July 1986, workers at a brick factory in Guanghan, Sichuan, unearthed dazzling jade pieces, leading to one of the greatest archaeological finds of modern times: Sanxingdui. The site has yielded ornate gold masks, towering bronze figures, 12-foot 'sacred trees' and hundreds of elephant tusks. This civilisation flourished around 3,000 years ago but seemingly vanished without a trace, leaving no writing or human remains. Its artefacts appear strikingly 'un-Chinese', prompting experts to rethink whether Chinese civilisation originated solely in the Yellow River basin. The mystery deepened after six more ceremonial pits were discovered since 2019, filled with deliberately smashed and burned treasures. Chinese President Xi Jinping has used the finds to argue that China has always enjoyed 'unity in diversity', supporting Beijing’s claims over Tibet and Xinjiang. Yet the lack of tombs, weapons, or a writing system baffles archaeologists. Some even speculate about extraterrestrial visitors. The site is now a pop culture phenomenon, but its true origin remains fiercely debated. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com Tags: archaeology, China, civilisation, origin, politics, Sanxingdui Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/sanxingdui-artefacts-baffle-experts-rewrite-chinas-origin/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/sanxingdui-artefacts-baffle-experts-rewrite-chinas-origin/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.