Abstract

This article presents the data on the excavation at the Sanxingdui site in the the field season of 2021. Six more sacrificial pits ranging in size from 3.5 to 19 sq. m were added to two pits investigated in 1986. The inventory discovered inside is of exceptional wealth and includes bronze and gold masks, ritual vessels, and other cultic objects (altar, solar “wheel,” fragments of bronze trees). As a rule, metal objects were covered with the layer of elephant tusks. New discoveries include fragments of silk fabric and small wooden chest painted on both sides with cinnabar. Excavations were conducted at highest technological level and clearly manifest big success of Chinese science in the post-pandemic period, which is of great ideological importance. Publication of new archaeological evidence fostered the resumption of scholarly discussions about the functions of the excavated pits and origin of the Sanxingdui culture in general. According to authoritative opinion of Dr. Wang Wei, there should be a temple or other sacred structure, not yet found by archaeologists, next to the pits. As for the cultural genesis of the Sanxingdui culture, the majority of Chinese archaeologists attribute it to the state (culture, ethnos, or civilization) of Ancient Shu located in Sichuan. Precisely Sanxingdui represents the summit in the development of this culture (civilization, ethnos); nothing of the kind has appeared either before or after Sanxingdui. Therefore, the Shu culture, as well as Shang, Liangzhu, and others, can be considered as only one of possible components of the Sanxingdui complex, but hardly the most important. Establishing the origins of this unique phenomenon in the ancient history of China will require new evidence and new methods of its study.

Keywords

Sanxingdui, Shang, Bronze Age, sacrificial pits, ritual burial of things

Komissarov S.A.

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7657-054X

Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography SB RAS
Novosibirsk State University

Girchenko E.A.

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5304-2595

Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography SB RAS

Solovyev A.I.

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3891-8944

Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography SB RAS

References

Across China : Uncovering the gold mask unearthed at the Sanxingdui Ruins. Xinhuanet (Site of Xinhua Information Agency, 07.04.2021. URL: http://www. xinhuanet.com/english/2021-04/07/c_139864673.htm (Accessed: 30.09.2021).

Chen Xi. 3,000-year-old Sanxingdui Ruins unveils mysterious bronze figure, will apply for world cultural heritage site. Global Times, May 28, 2021a. URL: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202105/1224777.shtml (Accessed: 30.09.2021).

Chen Xi. New archaeological findings unveiled at Sanxingdui Ruins site in Sichuan. Global Times, May 31, 2021b. URL: https://www.globaltimes.cn/ page/202105/1224977.shtml?id=11 (Accessed: 30.09.2021).

Chen Xi. Mysterious Sanxingdui Ruins reveal more stunning relics. Global Times, Sept., 2021c. URL: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202109/1233836.shtml (Accessed: 30.09.2021).

‘Completely unfounded’ : Chinese archaeologists refute ‘alien theory’ about Sanxingdui Ruins. Global Times, Apr. 20, 2021. URL: https://www.globaltimes.cn/ page/202104/1221546.shtml (Accessed: 30.09.2021).

Don (Dun) Ven’li, Chen’ Meilin, Khuan Chzhilin. Istoriyu uznaem po nakhodke. Ros. gazeta, 26.09.2021, Spetsvypusk, № 220. URL: http://russian.news.cn/2021-09/09/c_1310177497.htm (Accessed: 30.09.2021). (In Russ.)

Flad R.K. It’s a golden age for Chinese archaeology - and the West is ignoring it. The Washington Post, May 11, 2021. URL:https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/05/11/ chinese-archaeology-egyptian-bias-sanxingdui (Accessed: 30.09.2021).

Hui Xiaoyong, Xiao Lin, Tong Fang, Zhang Chaoqun, Li Qianwei, Zhou Erjie. Xinhua Headlines: New finds at Sanxingdui Ruins show creative power of ancient China. Xinhuanet (Site of Xinhua Information Agency), 09.09.2021. URL:http://www.news.cn/english/2021-09/09/c_1310178139.htm (Accessed: 30.09.2021).

Iz glubiny tysjacheletij. Chto skryvajut drevnie kitajskie grobnicy. Site RIA Novosti, 07.09.2021. URL: https://ria. ru/20210907/arkheologiya-1748992978.html (Accessed: 30.09.2021).

Komissarov S.A., Girchenko E.A. Sanxingdui - the land of bronze giant. Novosibirsk State University Bulletin. Series: History and Philology, 2012. Vol. 11, iss. 7: Archaeology and Ethnography. P 82-90. (In Russ.).

Liu Depei, Komissarov S.A. Fight Against and Live Along: Chinese Experience to Exist with COVID-19. In Sars-Cov-2 and Coronacrisis: Epidemiological Challenges, Social Policies and Administrative Strategies. Singapore: Springer, 2021. P 145-156. doi:10.1007/978-981-16-2605-0_9

Live : What does the discovery of Sanxingdui mean for Chinese civilization? Site of CGTN (China Global Television Network), 22.03.2021. URL: https:// www.cgtn.com/special/China-unveils-new-discoveries-from-Sanxingdui-.html (Accessed: 30.09.2021).

Live : Witness the new archaeological discoveries in Sanxingdui. News Program of CGTN (China Global Television Network), 20.03.2021. URL: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=ux9ewx-_8iE (Accessed: 30.09.2021).

Maslov A.A. Kitai 2020: pandemiya, obshchestvo i global’nye al’ternativy. Moscow: RIPOL klassik, 2020, 368 p. (In Russ,).

Novye nakhodki v ruinakh San’sindui demonstriruyut tvorcheskuyu silu drevnego Kitaya. Site Xinhua: News, 09.09.2021. URL: http://russian.news.cn/2021-09/09/c_1310177497.htm (Accessed: 30.09.3032). (In Russ.).

Sanxingdui fajue chu muqian tixing zuida “shenshou” he zuigao ding zun “zaji ren” [During Sanxingdui excavations the largest (for the present day) figure of “sacred beast” and the highest figure of “acrobatic man” were discovered!]. In Zhonghua guobao [Treasures of China], program on the news channel of the Chinese Central Television (CCTV-13), 09.09.2021. URL: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=tQHOv70NfPg (Accessed: 30.09.2021) (In Chin.).

Varenov A.V., Girchenko E.A. Novaya kul’tura epokhi bronzy iz Yuzhnogo Kitaya. Problems of Archaeology, Ethnography, Anthropology of Siberia and Neighboring Territories. Novosibirsk: IAET SB RAN Publ., 2008. Vol. XIV. P. 151-156. (In Russ.).

Wan Jiao. Cong xiangya diao kan gu shu wenming [Using the example of ivory engravings let’s look over civilization of the Ancient China]. Renmin ribao haiwai ban, 30.03.2021. P. 9. On the portal of «Renmin ribao», URL: http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrbhwb/html/2021-03/30/ node_873.htm (Accessed: 30.09.2021). (In Chin.).

Wang Kaihao. Sanxingdui discoveries shed light on Ancient China. China Daily (online edition), 22.03.2021. URL: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/aZ202103/22/ WS6057d3aaa3 1024ad0bab0874.html (Accessed: 30.09.2021).

Wu Xiaoling, Wu Menling, Li Ting. More ancient Sanxingdui discoveries amaze the world. China Today (online edition), 27.05.2021. URL: http://www.chinatoday. com.cn/ctenglish/2018/cs/202105/t20210527_800247854. html (Accessed: 30.09.2021).

Zhao Weijie. New archaeological marvels of ancient Shu civilization. National Science Review, 2021, no. 8, iss. 7, nwab. 071, doi:10.1093/nsr/nwab071.

Zou Yating. Jujiao sanxingdui xin faxian [Focusing on new findings at Sanxingdui]. Renmin ribao haiwai ban, 30.03.2021. P. 9. On the portal of «Renmin ribao», URL: http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrbhwb/html/2021-03/30/ node_873.htm (Accessed: 30.09.2021) (In Chin.).

Список литературы

Вань Цзяо. Цун сянъя дяо кань гу шу вэньмин (На примере резьбы по слоновой кости рассмотрим цивилизацию древнего Шу) // Жэньминь жибао хай-вай бань. - 30.03.2021. - С. 9 // На портале газеты «Жэньминь жибао». - URL: http://paper.people.com.cn/ rmrbhwb/html/2021-03/30/node_873.htm (дата обращения: 30.09.2021) (на кит. яз.).

Варенов А.В., Гирченко Е.А. Новая культура эпохи бронзы из Южного Китая // Проблемы археологии, этнографии, антропологии Сибири и сопредельных территорий. - Новосибирск: Изд-во ИАЭТ СО РАН, 2008. -Т. XIV. - С. 151-156.

Дон [Дун] Вэньли, Чэнь Мэйлин, Хуан Чжилин. Историю узнаем по находке // Рос. газета. - 26.09.2021. -Спецвыпуск, № 220. - URL: http://russian.news.cn/2021-09/09/c_1310177497.htm (дата обращения: 30.09.2021).

Из глубины тысячелетий. Что скрывают древние китайские гробницы // Сайт РИА Новости. - 07.09.2021. -URL: https://ria.ru/20210907/arkheologiya-1748992978.html (дата обращения: 30.09.2021).

Комиссаров С.А., Гирченко Е.А. Земля бронзовых исполинов // Вестн. Новосиб. гос. ун-та. Серия: История, филология. - 2012. - Т. 11, вып. 7: Археология и этнография. - С. 82-90.

Маслов А.А. Китай 2020: пандемия, общество и глобальные альтернативы. - М.: РИПОЛ классик, 2020. -368 с.

Новые находки в руинах Саньсиндуй демонстрируют творческую силу древнего Китая // Сайт Синьхуа: Новости. - 09.09.2021. - URL: http://russian.news.cn/2021-09/09/c_1310177497.htm (дата обращения: 30.09.3032).

Саньсиндуй фацзюэ чу муцянь тисин цзуйда «шэнь-шоу» хэ цзуйгао дин цзунь «цзацзи жэнь»! (В Саньсин-дуй обнаружены самая большая на данном этапе фигура «священного существа» и самая высокая фигура «акробата» с сосудом цзунь на голове) // Программа «Чжунхуа гобао» (Сокровища Китая) новостного канала Центрального телевидения Китая (CCTV-13). - 09.09.2021. - URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch7vMQHOv70NfPg (дата обращения: 30.09.2021) (на кит. яз.).

Цзоу Ятин. Цзюйцзяо саньсиндуй синь фасянь (Сфокусируем внимание на новых находках в Саньсиндуе) // Жэньминь жибао хайвай бань. - 30.03.2021. - С. 9 // На портале газеты «Жэньминь жибао». - URL: http://paper. people.com.cn/rmrbhwb/html/2021-03/30/node_873.htm (дата обращения: 30.09.2021) (на кит. яз.).

Across China : Uncovering the gold mask unearthed at the Sanxingdui Ruins // Xinhuanet (Сайт Информ. агентства Синьхуа). - 07.04.2021. - URL: http://www.xinhuanet. com/english/2021-04/07/c_139864673.htm (дата обращения: 30.09.2021).

Chen Xi. 3,000-year-old Sanxingdui Ruins unveils mysterious bronze figure, will apply for world cultural heritage site // Global Times. - May 28, 2021a. - URL: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202105/1224777.shtml (дата обращения: 30.09.2021).

Chen Xi. New archaeological findings unveiled at Sanxingdui Ruins site in Sichuan // Global Times. - May 31, 2021b. - URL: https://www.globaltimes. cn/page/202105/1224977.shtml?id=11 (дата обращения: 30.09.2021).

Chen Xi. Mysterious Sanxingdui Ruins reveal more stunning relics // Global Times. - September, 2021c. - URL: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202109/1233836.shtml (дата обращения: 30.09.2021).

‘Completely unfounded’: Chinese archaeologists refute ‘alien theory’ about Sanxingdui Ruins // Global Times. - Apr 20, 2021 - URL: https://www.globaltimes.cn/ page/202104/1221546.shtml (дата обращения: 30.09.2021).

Flad R.K. It’s a golden age for Chinese archaeology - and the West is ignoring it // The Washington Post. - May 11, 2021. -URL:https://www. washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/05/11/ chinese-archaeology-egyptian-bias-sanxingdui (дата обращения: 30.09.2021).

Hui Xiaoyong, Xiao Lin, Tong Fang, Zhang Chaoqun, Li Qianwei, Zhou Erjie. Xinhua Headlines: New finds at Sanxingdui Ruins show creative power of ancient China // Xinhuanet (сайт ИА Синьхуа). - 09.09.2021. - URL: http:// www.news.cn/english/2021-09/09/c_1310178139.htm (дата обращения: 30.09.2021).

Liu Depei, Komissarov S.A. Fight Against and Live Along: Chinese Experience to Exist with COVID-19 // Sars-Cov-2 and Coronacrisis: Epidemiological Challenges, Social Policies and Administrative Strategies. - Singapore: Springer, 2021. - P. 145-156. - doi: 10.1007/978-981-16-2605-0_9.

Live : What does the discovery of Sanxingdui mean for Chinese civilization7 // Сайт CGTN (China Global Television Network). - 22.03.2021. - URL: https:// www. cgtn.com/special/China-unveils-new-discoveries-from-Sanxingdui-.html (дата обращения: 30.09.2021).

Live : Witness the new archaeological discoveries in Sanxingdui // Новостная программа CGTN (China Global Television Network). - 20.03.2021. - URL: https://www. youtube.com/watch7v=ux9ewx-_8iE (дата обращения: 30.09.2021).

Wang Kaihao. Sanxingdui discoveries shed light on Ancient China // China Daily (online edition). - 22.03.2021. - URL: https://www.chinadaily.com. cn/a/202103/22/WS6057d3aaa31024ad0bab0874.html (дата обращения: 30.09.2021).

Wu Xiaoling, Wu Menling, Li Ting. More ancient Sanxingdui discoveries amaze the world // China Today (online edition). - 27.05.2021. - URL: http:// www.chinatoday.com. cn/ctenglish/2018/cs/202105/t20210527_800247854.html (дата обращения: 30.09.2021).

Zhao Weijie. New archaeological marvels of ancient Shu civilization // National Science Review (online edition). -2021. - Vol. 8, iss. 7. - nwab071. - doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwab071