Sanxingdui was "new", and two large bronzes were successfully paired across the pit
June 10 is Cultural and Natural Heritage Day. The Sichuan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology once again announced the successful pairing of two bronze artifacts across the pit, namely the statue of the inverted bird foot statue of the bronze stellar and the bronze statue of the bronze beast kneeling on the top of the human being.
The Beijing News reporter learned from the Sichuan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology that with the full completion of the field work in the sacrificial area of the Sanxingdui site, the indoor sorting, protection and restoration of the cultural relics unearthed in the new sacrificial pit has become one of the most important tasks in the current Sanxingdui site research. Recently, using 3D scanning and 3D models, excavation and preservation personnel successfully put together two large-scale bronzes across the pit.
It is understood that the composition of the artifacts comes from pits 2, 3 and 8 respectively. Both bronzes are made of relatively independent parts of secondary casting, huge volume, unique and complex shape, showing the superb bronze casting technology and rich imagination and creativity of Sanxingdui ancestors.
The bronze beast kneels and sits on the top of the bronze statue
The bronze statue of the upper, middle and lower parts of the bronze beast kneeling on the top of the human is 1.589 meters high, and is composed of the bronze statue of the kneeling figure unearthed in the No. 3 "sacrificial pit" in 2021, the copper mouth edge unearthed in the No. 2 "sacrificial pit" in 1986, and the copper sacred beast unearthed in the No. 8 "sacrificial pit" in 2022.
The bronze beast kneels and sits on the top of the bronze statue. Photo courtesy of Sichuan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
The first layer is a monster of considerable size, the beast stands tall with its head held high, its head is large and flat, its ears are long, the word "minister" is hooked under the corner of its eyes, and the back of its head is covered with a lion-like mane; Strong limbs, standing upright, with rhino-like armor folds at the elbows, and four petal-like toes on each foot; The tail is fluffy. In the center of the head of the sacred beast stood a small bronze figure in gorgeous clothing, slender, protruding, upright, with hands in a holding posture, dressed in a diagonal robe, wearing cloud-headed shoes on his feet, and wearing a double-pointed crowned hat.
Copper divine beast. Photo courtesy of Sichuan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
The second layer is a figure kneeling on the back of the monster, a bronze figure with thick eyebrows and big eyes. Wearing a zigzag cloud thunder pattern long-sleeved placket on the top, a short skirt with eye patterns on the bottom, arms raised in front of the chest, and a two-week tie at the waist, knotted in front of the body. The hands seem to be holding the same thing, and the head is covered with a small and large crown, on which a square platform is formed to support the bronze figure above.
The third layer is a three-stage folded shoulder deity, which is tall and thin, and there are six hanging dragons and three-dimensional appendages in the shape of hanging beasts from the shoulders to the neck.
Experts say the group of bronzes represents an altar and creates a sacrificial scene. Kneeling on the back of the divine beast should be the identity of the witch, and kneeling is the most pious posture of the ancient Shu god. The bronze man standing on top of the head of the divine beast may be a symbol of the ancient Shu king. The bronze statue on the head of the sorcerer has the style of the Central Plains culture, and the statue should contain sacrificial sea shells, jade or wine.
Bronze Gang Seat Inverted Bird Foot Statue on the Top
The 2.53-meter-tall statue is made of a bronze bird's foot statue unearthed in 1986 from the No. 2 "sacrificial pit", the bronze cover of the climbing dragon unearthed in the No. 3 "sacrificial pit" in 2021, and the bronze-topped statue unearthed in the No. 8 "sacrificial pit" in 2022, the bronze-topped statue of the dragon standing figure, and the bronze staff-shaped tool.
Bronze Gang Seat Upside Down Bird Foot Statue - Positive. Photo courtesy of Sichuan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
This intricate bronze statue is mainly composed of copper vessels, statues of gods and figures. The main body of the bronze is an inverted statue of a deity, with prominent longitudinal eyes, prominent fangs, and strands of hair visible on the front of the forehead and the back of the head. The statue presses its hands on the brass lid of the square seat, bends its head high, faces up, has bird-shaped clouds on the soles of its claw-shaped feet, and a bronze statue on its head, and a weeping dragon lying on the cover of the umbrella-shaped flower button. At the back of the dragon stands a braided man with a high crown and fangs in his ears, dressed in a dress and draped boots, holding a thick staff with the head of the staff bent downwards in both hands.
The bird's foot statue with bronze has protruding eyes, exposed fangs, unique ears, and strands of hair on the forehead and back of the head. The statue wears a placket on the top and a short tunic skirt on the bottom, and the bird's foot-like feet are particularly eye-catching, obviously a god rather than a man. The posture of the statue is very special, supported by both hands and upside down on a bronze bang, with a Yao-shaped figure on the top of the head, the limbs below the waist are curled upwards in reverse, the leg muscles are strong and powerful, and the feet are turned into a bird's claw shape, tightly grasping an inverted eagle's head, and above the eagle's head is an abstract eagle body.
The bronze statue of the top bent body. Photo courtesy of Sichuan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
It is a tall bronze altarpiece. The curved figure has a bird's body and fangs. The main structure of the altar is a gang-shaped base and a main trunk. The body is decorated with animal face patterns and banana leaf patterns, and the shape and ornamentation have the style of Central Plains culture. The statue also highlights the true color of ancient Shu culture, and is an artistic masterpiece that appeared under the light of the Central Plains culture.
The two bronzes are made of relatively independent parts of secondary casting, huge volume, complex and unique shape, should be the artistic image of the ancient Shu era sacrificial god statue, not only the peculiarity and creativity of Shu culture, but also reflect the strong influence of the Central Plains culture, once again showing the brilliant ancient Shu civilization and the diversified and integrated Chinese civilization, reflecting the superb bronze design and casting skills of the Sanxingdui site, reflecting the rich imagination and creativity of the ancient Shu era.
It is understood that the successful spelling of cultural relics across the pit proves that the formation of several sacrificial pits in the sacrificial area is similar, and it is of great academic significance for clarifying the archaeological age of each pit, the layout and nature of the sacrificial area, and the form of sacrifice of the ancient Shu people.
Beijing News reporter Zhang Jianlin
Edited by Liu Mengjie Proofread by Wu Xingfa