Jinsha River Gold Mask Pit
Jinsha River Gold Mask Pit North Annex · Jinsha Site
Neolithic to Iron Age (6000 BCE–500 CE)·Neolithic·🇨🇳 Sichuan, Chengdu, China
About
About Jinsha River Gold Mask Pit
Jinsha River Gold Mask Pit in Sichuan, Chengdu, China is a Neolithic to Iron Age (6000 BCE–500 CE) ancient village attributed to Neolithic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal site extent 150 × 90 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 30.6800N 104.0160E controls access to Sichuan resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient village for Sichuan, Chengdu, illustrating Neolithic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 4000 BCE–500 CE
- Period
- Neolithic to Iron Age (6000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Neolithic
- Purpose
- Ceremonial and residential complex
- Rediscovered
- 1990 survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 4000 BCE–500 CE
Initial construction of Jinsha River Gold Mask Pit main structure
c. 1930
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1990–2005
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Jinsha River Gold Mask Pit) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
30.6800° N · 104.0160° E · 290 m · 4 mapped features
- Jinsha River Gold Mask Pit — Main StructurestructurePrincipal ancient village — Site extent 150 × 90 m with diagnostic masonry/panel30.6808° N · 104.0169° E
- Jinsha River Gold Mask Pit — Ancillary ComplexcomplexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature30.6790° N · 104.0153° E
- Jinsha River Gold Mask Pit — Peripheral FeatureoutlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial30.6815° N · 104.0172° E
- Jinsha River Gold Mask Pit — Hydraulic/CisternhydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site30.6784° N · 104.0149° E
Gallery