Ancient Shu Civilization: Sanxingdui and More Mysterious Ancient Civilizations

The Ancient Shu Civilization refers to a historical culture that developed in the Sichuan region (including today's Sichuan Province and Chongqing) from ancient times to the early Spring and Autumn period. Though distinct from the Central Plains civilization, it maintained close connections with it. Major archaeological sites include the Jinsha Site（金沙遗址） in Chengdu and the Sanxingdui Site（三星堆遗址0 in Guanghan, ranking alongside the Huaxia and Liangzhu（良渚文明） civilizations as one of China's three major ancient civilizations.

The discovery of jade artifacts in Guanghan in 1929 sparked interest in exploring Sichuan’s ancient past. Thanks to generations of dedicated archaeologists, major discoveries have unveiled a clearer picture of the mysterious Shu Kingdom, which once inspired the poet Li Bai’s verse on its distant origins.

Archaeologists have traced the evolution of the Ancient Shu Civilization through several cultural phases:

Baodun Culture（宝墩文化） (4800-4000 years ago): Represented by prehistoric walled settlements in the Neolithic Age on the Chengdu Plain.

Sanxingdui Culture: Centered around the Sanxingdui site, showcasing sophisticated bronze craftsmanship.

Jinsha Twelve Bridges Culture（金沙十二桥文化）: Known for the Jinsha site discoveries, an important 21st century archaeological site。

Warring States Period（战国时期） (Bronze Age): Represented by boat-shaped and wooden coffins found in Chengdu's Commercial Street burials.

The Ancient Shu Civilization was eventually integrated into the broader Chinese cultural sphere in 316 BCE when Qin conquered the Shu and Ba regions.

Baodun Ancient City Ruins

The Baodun Culture, dating back around 4500 years, represents the earliest known archaeological culture of the Chengdu Plain. It is a Neolithic culture closely linked to the Sanxingdui Culture and possibly evolved from the earlier Yingpanshan Culture. Baodun sites reveal advanced pottery techniques and influences from other cultural groups.

The Baodun City Ruins were pivotal in clarifying the region's early development. The discovery provided answers to why such an advanced Bronze Age culture emerged in the isolated Chengdu Plain, emphasizing the cultural continuity leading to the Sanxingdui period.

Sanxingdui Museum and Site

The Sanxingdui Museum, located in Guanghan, Sichuan, is a key site showcasing the Ancient Shu Civilization and a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The site gained prominence with the discovery of two major sacrificial pits filled with bronze masks, gold artifacts, jade, and ivory dating back to the Shang Dynasty.

Opened in 1997, the museum covers 530 acres with exhibition halls displaying over 1,000 artifacts, emphasizing the grandeur of the Sanxingdui culture. The four exhibition halls present artifacts such as large bronze statues, ceremonial masks, and exquisite jade carvings, offering a comprehensive view of this enigmatic civilization.

Jinsha Site and Museum

The Jinsha Site Museum, located in the northwest of Chengdu, was built on the original excavation site and opened in 2007. It focuses on the ancient Shu culture during the Shang and Zhou periods. The museum comprises the relics hall, exhibition halls, a visitor center, and a cultural protection center.

The Jinsha site, discovered in 2001, was a groundbreaking archaeological find of the 21st century. Covering 456 acres, the museum features a unique design with a natural landscape, combining the excavation site with exhibition spaces. Notable artifacts include the "Sun Bird" gold foil and large quantities of ivory and bronze objects.

Chengdu Museum

Established in 1958, the Chengdu Museum is located near Tianfu Square and is a national first-class museum. The museum houses nearly 300,000 artifacts, spanning from the Neolithic period to the Republic of China era, with its shadow puppetry（皮影戏） collection being the most extensive in the world.

Since its reopening, the museum has hosted influential exhibitions, including "The Soul of the Silk Road," "Ancient Treasures from Afghanistan," and "Five Hundred Years of European Painting." It continues to be a cultural hub, with over 10 million visitors engaging with both historical and modern exhibits.