Chinese archaeologists have uncovered new remains at the Sanxingdui Ruins site in Sichuan Province, southwest China, revealing an ancient handicraft workshop dedicated to the crafting and processing of jade and stone artifacts. This marks the first time such a workshop has been discovered at the Sanxingdui Ruins, offering fresh insights into the sophisticated craftsmanship of the region’s ancient civilization.
The Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute announced on Tuesday that the newly discovered site dates back to the middle of the Shang Dynasty, approximately 3,400 to 3,500 years ago. This predates the previously unearthed sacrificial pits, suggesting that the workshop was part of an earlier phase of activity at the site.
The unearthed cultural relics include raw jade and stone materials, unfinished blanks, waste materials, fragments, and finished products. These findings form a relatively complete chain of early handicrafts, highlighting the advanced production techniques employed by the ancient artisans.
Since 2022, the Sichuan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology has been conducting archaeological excavations in Yueliangwan at Sanxingdui. The team has identified over 400 sites, including high-level building foundations, ash pits, ash ditches, and additional sites for producing and processing stone artifacts. To date, more than 4,000 artifacts have been unearthed, encompassing pottery, jade, and stoneware.
The discovery of the workshop signifies significant progress in the archaeological excavation of the Sanxingdui Ruins site. It provides valuable evidence of the technological sophistication and cultural practices of the ancient people who inhabited the region during the Shang Dynasty.
Experts believe that these findings will enhance understanding of the Sanxingdui culture and its role in early Chinese civilization. The ongoing excavations are expected to uncover more secrets buried within the ruins, contributing to the rich tapestry of Asia’s ancient history.
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New discoveries at Sanxingdui Ruins reveal ancient handicraft workshop
cgtn.com
