In 1929, jade and stone artifacts were discovered in Sichuan, but the importance of this finding wasn’t understood until 1986, when two pits of Bronze Age riches were excavated by archaeologists. In these pits, there were 100 elephant tusks, jade, and bronze sculptures that measured 8 feet high; this demonstrates an impressive technical ability that was not present anywhere else in the world at the time! It was found that these exhumed treasures came from a lost civilization, Sanxingdui; Sanxingdui was a major ancient Chinese walled city located on the banks of the Minjiang River, and it is believed that the culture was destroyed sometime between 3,000 and 2,800 years ago.
14 years ago, archaeologists found remains from another ancient city called Jinsha, and these findings had similarities between the artifacts previously found at Sanxingdui. New research is suggesting that an earthquake that happened nearly 3,000 years ago may be the culprit in the disappearance of one of China’s ancient civilizations. It is believed that an earthquake may have caused catastrophic landslides and destruction, forcing the city’s inhabitants to divert to a new location; in addition, it is believed that the earthquake might have caused landslides that obstructed the river, forcing it to reroute to Jinsha; this reduced water supply could have been the reason why the people from Sanxingdui may have relocated to Jinsha. There are some historical records supporting this theory, however as ancient writers in 1099 B.C. recorded an earthquake in the capital of the Zhou dynasty, in the Shaanxi province. Now, even though this is roughly 250 miles away from Sanxingdui, at that point in time records were not generally kept so there is a possibility that the epicenter of the earthquake was actually close to Sanxingdui, it just wasn’t recorded at that location. There is also geographical evidence that suggests that there was an earthquake that occurred in the general region sometime between 3,330 and 2,200 years ago, and the geological sediments also suggest that massive flooding did occur. All in all, the findings do hint at a major earthquake occurrence that triggered a landslide that blocked and rerouted the rivers flow, but keep in mind this theory is still very speculative. While the geological story is definitely possible, the mystery of Sanxingdui continues as it still doesn’t answer the question, why would these people bury their culture into two pits, and why didn’t their culture reemerge at Jinsha?
-DMS
Frequently Asked Questions
The Sanxingdui discovery revealed a lost Bronze Age civilization with advanced technical skills, including large bronze sculptures and numerous jade and elephant tusk artifacts. These findings highlight a unique culture that was previously unknown and demonstrate artistic and metallurgical expertise not seen elsewhere at the time.
Initial jade and stone artifacts were found in Sichuan in 1929, but the true importance was realized in 1986 when two pits containing Bronze Age treasures were excavated near the Minjiang River. These pits contained large bronze sculptures and other artifacts from the Sanxingdui civilization.
One leading theory suggests that a massive earthquake around 3,000 years ago caused landslides that blocked and rerouted the Minjiang River, leading to flooding and reduced water supply. This environmental disaster may have forced the inhabitants to abandon Sanxingdui and relocate to the nearby Jinsha site.
Artifacts found at Jinsha, discovered 14 years after Sanxingdui, show similarities to those from Sanxingdui, suggesting a cultural link. It is believed that the people from Sanxingdui may have moved to Jinsha following environmental changes caused by an earthquake and river diversion.
Historical records from 1099 B.C. mention an earthquake in the Zhou dynasty capital, and geological evidence indicates seismic activity and flooding in the region between 3,330 and 2,200 years ago. Sediment analysis supports the occurrence of massive flooding, consistent with landslides blocking river flow near Sanxingdui.
Despite uncovering extensive artifacts, many questions remain unanswered, such as why the culture was buried in two pits and why it did not reemerge at Jinsha. The exact reasons for the civilization's disappearance and cultural practices remain speculative, keeping the mystery alive.