Another extraordinary discovery has emerged from the legendary Sanxingdui Ruins site in Deyang, Sichuan Province. An ancient jade workshop has been unearthed by archaeologists, marking a significant milestone in understanding the ancient Shu Kingdom.
Between 2022 and 2024, archaeologists uncovered remains related to the production and processing of jade artifacts at the Sanxingdui site. Experts have preliminarily identified these findings as a jade workshop dating back to the middle Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC), approximately 3,500 to 3,400 years ago. This period predates the burial age of the renowned Sanxingdui sacrificial pits.
Over 400 significant features were revealed during the excavation, including high-level building foundations, ash pits, ditches, and stone processing sites. More than 4,000 artifacts were unearthed, comprising pottery, jade, and stone tools.
This discovery marks the first time a craft workshop has been found at the Sanxingdui site. The new materials provide crucial evidence about the sources of jade and stone used at Sanxingdui, offering insights into the functional layout of the ancient city. This significant step advances the understanding of the civilization of the ancient Shu Kingdom and its intricate craft production.
Reference(s):
Ancient jade workshop unearthed at Sanxingdui Ruins for the first time
cgtn.com
