• Sanxingdui

• Name in Chinese characters: 三星堆
• Name in Pinyin: Sānxīngduī
• 

  General Overview

  Sanxingdui was an exciting discovery for archaeologists and, yet, still remains relatively unknown to tourists and therefore under-rated attraction in China. This, the site of a bronze-age city (dated as approximately 3200 years old), is extraordinary in many ways and, not least, because the civilization that lived here remain unknown except for the artefacts recovered. Those artefacts are absolutely fantastic, being of very high quality and imaginative design.

  The site was first rediscovered back in 1929 when a farmer found jade pieces in a field. Proper excavations were disrupted by political events and so it was not until 1986 that any real progress was made. In that year, archaeologists stumbled upon some of the sacrificial pits associated with the city and recovered huge quantities of artefacts.

  Excavations continued until the extent of the city was fully marked out. The city was originally enclosed by an earthen defensive wall some 8-10 metres high (25-30 feet). Given that this was some 40 metres (130 feet) wide at the base shows that the civilization that built it had time and considerable manpower.

  The same civilization was not short of technicians either. Their skills with metals extended to creating new alloys (including an advanced form of bronze that was stronger and therefore able to be used in large-scale castings) and to creating fabulous designs in gold as well as bronze. Their hallmark pieces being masks, human figures and trees.

  

  Attractions For Visitors

  

  The Sanxingdui Museum has been constructed so as to include some of the sacrificial pits that first marked the rediscovery of this important archaeological site. It is possible to reach the museum by public transport but most visitors will want to cover the 50 or so kilometres each way by private vehicle.

  The site is extensive but, with several areas incomplete, the most interest is to be had in the two main exhibition halls: the Bronze Gallery (A on the map) and the Comprehensive Gallery (B on the map).

  The two galleries contain a wealth of exhibits with good labels and text explanations in English. These definitely add to the experience even if some of the big questions are left unresolved.

  It is possible to eat at the site, which is useful given that the nearest town, Guanghan, is more than 4 kilometres away.

  Those interested in the Sanxingdui Museum will probably enjoy visiting the Jinsha Ruins in a suburb of Chengdu city.

  The following China Journey includes a visit to Sanxingdui:

  • Chengdu Review
  
  
  
  
  
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• Current Comments

  2 comments so far (post your own)

  Hi Au Fait
  
  Thank you for the compliment. The lighting and lack of tripod made photography difficult but we took many photos and were happy to have got some good ones.
  
  We expect this site to feature in many more itineraries soon. Hope you can get there before the crowds.
  
  The related Jinsha Ruins site is definitely worth adding to your plans if you like the look of Sanxingdui.

  Posted by China Journeys on Mon 13 Feb, 2012

  Your excellent photos of these strange objects makes a visit to the museum a high priority. The fact that it is relatively unknown to tourists is an added attraction.

  Posted by Au Fait on Mon 13 Feb, 2012

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