Ancient Jade and Stone Workshop Unveiled at China’s Sanxingdui Ruins

In an extraordinary development that offers a glimpse into China's ancient civilization, archaeologists have unearthed a jade and stone artifact processing site at the legendary Sanxingdui Ruins, dated to be over 3,400 years old. Situated in the Sichuan Province, this discovery is pivotal for understanding the provenance and manufacturing techniques of artifacts linked to this culturally rich archaeological site.

Just north of the previously discovered sacrificial pits, about a kilometer away, the site appears to have operated as a production workshop. This assesses based on the assortment of evidence found: raw materials, by-products of the manufacturing process, and fragments alongside completed jade and stone objects. The comprehensive array of artifacts suggests that this was a hub of ancient craftsmanship, exhibiting a full spectrum of processing activities.

Ran Honglin, the lead archaeologist at the Sanxingdui site, emphasized the significance of the discovery. Beyond shedding light on the mystery of the vast numbers of jade and stone found in Sanxingdui, it also highlights the advanced production mechanisms and distribution methods employed by the civilization of the time.

Since the previous year, extensive excavations have led to the identification of over 400 sites of historical attention within the area. These sites include ancient structures, ash pits, and other such manufacturing and processing localities. More than 4,000 artifacts spanning jade objects, pottery, and stone ware have been unearthed as a result of these efforts.

Notably, Sanxingdui Ruins have been a treasure trove, yielding a staggering number of over 60,000 cultural relics to date. Reflecting its global significance, the site's accompanying Sanxingdui Museum has drawn the attention of over five million visitors worldwide since its establishment.

Discovered in the late 1920s, Sanxingdui has earned its fame as one of the great archaeological wonders of the 20th century. Spanning 12 square km, the ruins are considered to echo the legacy of the Shu Kingdom, with a history stretching back 4,500 to 3,000 years. Located in Guanghan, near Chengdu, the site continues to rewrite chapters of ancient Chinese civilization.