Since November 3, 1997, fromSanxingdui siteAfter the news came out that an elephant tusk had been found in the brick factory of Rensheng Village, about 550 meters west of the western city wallArchaeologyScientists immediately rushed to the scene and began a surprising salvage excavation. The results of the excavations revealed a shocking discovery: a dense cemetery. And it's not just inSanxingdui siteThe ancient Shu cemetery was discovered for the first time, and many precious ones were unearthedCultural relicsand study for usSanxingdui civilizationImportant clues are provided.
On November 3, 1997, cadres of Guanghan Municipal Cultural Management Office and Sichuan ProvinceArchaeologyResearch InstituteArchaeologyDuring the excavation of soil at the brick factory in Rensheng Village, officers accidentally excavated an elephant's tusk. This discovery is of concern because it implies that there may be ancient ruins buried deep in.
ArchaeologyOfficers immediately launched rescue excavations at the scene. They found a number of dirt pits that were similar in shape and almost identical in size. ArchaeologyScientists have been puzzled about the nature of these pits, and they have not been able to determine whether they existed as sacrificial pits or burial mounds. To get a more accurate picture of the situation,ArchaeologyPersonnel surveyed the surrounding land and found more similar pit tombs.
In order to protect these precious tombs, Sichuan ProvinceCultural relicsArchaeologyResearch directionNational Administration of Cultural Heritageapplied to stop the excavation of soil in the area and obtainedNational Administration of Cultural HeritageApproval. From 2 January to 26 June 1998, Sichuan ProvinceCultural relicsArchaeologyThe institute carried out rescue excavations in the proposed soil extraction area of the brick factory in Rensheng Village. In the course of the excavations, they found 29 tombs in the form of rectangular pit tombs and elongated pit tombs. According to the results of the excavations, the age of these tombs is about 4100 years agoSanxingdui siteThe period from the latter part of the first phase to the first part of the second phase.
This salvage excavation is of great significance. First of all, it provides us with important information about the ancient Shu cemetery, which is important for the study of the ancient Shu civilizationCultureValue. Secondly, the excavation of pottery andJadeetcCultural relicsIt provides us with more clues to understand the life of the ancient Shu people.
During the excavation of the Rensheng cemetery, many precious ones were unearthedCultural relics, the most striking of which is a terracotta figurine called "Pottery Man". This pottery figure is about 10 centimeters tall and has a beautiful shape. It was dressed in a long skirt with a tie around the waist, showing SanxingduiCulturefeatures: This pottery man is not only one of the earliest "pottery people" found in China, but also ancient ShuHumanitiesOne of the treasures of the transformation.
In addition to the pottery figures, a large number of pottery and pottery have been excavatedJadeUtensil. One of the most special is a batch of vortex shapesJadeUtensil. These are swirlingJadeNot only is it unique, but it also has peculiar patterns, such as a "lizard" and nine "round nests". theseJadeThe presence of instruments leads to speculation that they may be used forReligionTools for rituals or divination. However, the detailed meaning of these is still subject to further research and interpretation.
The tombs unearthed from the Rensheng cemetery have a unique feature: the bottom of the pit is rammed, and the walls of the tomb are also beaten. This particular way of disposing causedArchaeologyAttention of scholars. The human bones found in these tombs indicate that some bones were smashed into the bottom of the tomb by rammed earth, while others were severely decomposed. This particular treatment makes people wonder if this has something to do with itReligionRituals or "human sacrifices" are related.
ConclusionSanxingdui siteThe discovery of the cemetery of Rensheng was an important oneArchaeologyFound. The existence of this cemetery provides us with an understanding of the burial customs of the ancient Shu people andReligionValuable clues to the ritual. In addition, unearthed pottery andJadeetcCultural relicsIt also enriches our understanding of the ancient Shu civilization. Although the Rensheng cemetery has not yet found ancient ShuTomb of the Kingof the tombs, but this discovery is still for studySanxingdui civilizationand ChinaCultureThe development is of great significance.