Now Reading: Sanxingdui artefacts baffle experts, rewrite China’s origin
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Sanxingdui artefacts baffle experts, rewrite China’s origin
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…
The Story in Brief
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.
The Indian Opinion
The Sanxingdui discovery is a reminder that ancient history is often messier than nationalist narratives allow. Chinese officials are eager to present the civilisation as evidence of a unified Chinese identity from time immemorial, yet the artefacts look nothing like familiar Han Chinese bronzes. The real test will be whether Beijing permits archaeologists to openly explore the possibility that an independent, non-Han civilisation thrived and was later subjugated. If not, the site’s greatest mystery may be political, not archaeological.
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
