The last "blind box" of Sanxingdui is uncovered: the value is beyond imagination!

After several months of excavation, the lids of the last two "blind boxes" in Sanxingdui were finally opened, and the "sacrifice pits" on the 7th and 8th revealed a thick layer of artifacts. Hundreds of ivory, jade, gold, and unprecedented bronzes were found. The level has never been seen before, and the historical information and value contained beyond imagination.

The reporter recently came to the archaeological excavation site of the Sanxingdui Sacrificial Area. The progress here has changed a lot compared with the previous few months, especially the large area and the No. 7 and No. 8 "sacrifices" which are considered by experts to be a group of "CPs". "The pit", the mystery was finally lifted. The pit was covered with precious cultural relics such as ivory, bronze, and jade.

According to experts, one of the characteristics of No. 7 and No. 8 "sacrifice pit" is that there are a lot of ivory. There are 180 ivory exposed in No. 7 "sacrifice pit", and No. 8 "sacrifice pit" has 202. This Not yet buried underneath and not yet exposed.

"Especially in the central part of the pit, there are several layers of ivory, almost airtight, and no artifacts can be seen below." said Li Haichao, a professor at Sichuan University who was responsible for the excavation of the No. 7 "sacrifice pit".

According to Li Haichao, another feature of No. 7 "sacrifice pit" is that there are many jade articles, including jade zhang, jade chisel, jade axe, jade yuan, etc., which are dazzling and beautiful. "The full layer is almost full of jade, and the number is shocking."

There are even several pieces of jade that have never been seen before. One of the light green "jades" that have not yet been fully unearthed is very distinctive. It seems that it is inlaid in a hollowed-out bronze grid, and its shape is very rare. During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, the bronze was called "Jijin", Li Haichao said: "This is the first discovery of'golden inlaid jade', and further excavations are needed to confirm the final form."

The No. 8 "sacrifice pit", which was previously excavated at the same time as other "sacrificial pits", is the only one with a thick layer of ashes. It took up to 4 months for archaeologists to clean up more than 3,000 pieces of bronze ware from the ashes. Fragments, more than 280 pieces of jade, more than 360 pieces of gold foil, etc.

In the eyes of visitors, the fragments on the surface seem to be a pity and not of high value. However, experts believe that these fragments are of great value to the study of the sacrificial culture and process at that time, and the number is large, and they can be amazingly displayed after restoration.

Zhao Hao, an associate professor at Peking University who was responsible for the excavation of No. 8 "sacrifice pit", told reporters that some large bronzes began to appear on the surface of the ivory layer. Shocked.

"It's so peculiar, we don't know how to name it." Zhao Hao said.

According to Zhao Hao’s description, this altar is completely different from the altar discovered in Sanxingdui in 1986, because the altar has not been completely unearthed, and only a part of it can be seen at present. The three-layer square foundation has been exposed, with postures on the foundation. Bronze portraits of different sizes and sizes, some dressed in ribbons and colorful dresses, dancing lightly, some had tattoos on their calves and carried sacrifices on their shoulders... There was also a divine beast wearing a "collar" on the altar.

Next to this altar is the largest Sanxingdui "mythical beast" found so far, the size of an adult Corgi, with big eyes and wide mouth, thin waist, thick legs and thick hips, which looks very cute. The unicorn on the head of the beast is also against a platform, on which stands a bronze standing man.

"Why is the altar important? It is not just a single artifact, but more importantly, it depicts a sacrificial scene, representing the people's understanding of the world in Sanxingdui." Zhao Hao said.

In addition, on the 8th "sacrifice pit", bronze statues painted with cinnabar, and bronze heads with painted faces, which witnessed the integration of the Central Plains civilization and the ancient Shu civilization, were discovered.

According to Ran Honglin, a staff member of the Sanxingdui Archaeological Research Institute of the Sichuan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, the "lids" of No. 7 and No. 8 "sacrifice pits" have just been unveiled. More wonderful cultural relics have yet to be announced, and the show is yet to come.