Sanxingdui — Pit 3 Bronze Mask Deposit
三星堆 · Sanxingdui Pit3
Bronze Age to Classical (3000 BCE–500 CE)·Bronze Age urban·🇨🇳 Sichuan, Guanghan, Sanxingdui, China
About
About Sanxingdui — Pit 3 Bronze Mask Deposit
Sanxingdui — Pit 3 Bronze Mask Deposit in Sichuan, Guanghan, Sanxingdui, China is a Bronze Age to Classical (3000 BCE–500 CE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age urban. Systematic survey and coring document ceramic seriation. The site includes a principal platform and domestic quarter. Dimensions city wall circuit 1.2 km; area 18 ha; area 1.4 ha. Excavation partially-excavated; condition submerged. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Bronze Age urban ancient-city with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 450 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Relation to regional network
- 02Function and labor organization
Theories
- 01Elite residence hypothesis
- 02Territorial marker
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. 2500 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age to Classical (3000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age urban
- Purpose
- Urban centre with palace and temple precinct
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 2500 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 803 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1950
Modern rediscovery and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
30.9900° N · 104.2000° E · 450 m · 4 mapped features
Principal Monument
structurePrincipal Monument at Sanxingdui — Pit 3 Bronze Mask Deposit — structure with stratified deposits
30.9895° N · 104.1983° EAncillary Complex
complexAncillary Complex at Sanxingdui — Pit 3 Bronze Mask Deposit — complex with stratified deposits
30.9912° N · 104.1994° EOutlier Feature
outlierOutlier Feature at Sanxingdui — Pit 3 Bronze Mask Deposit — outlier with stratified deposits
30.9894° N · 104.1988° EReservoir/Cistern
hydraulicReservoir/Cistern at Sanxingdui — Pit 3 Bronze Mask Deposit — hydraulic with stratified deposits
30.9896° N · 104.1987° E