CHENGDU: As the Year of the Dragon has arrived, dragon-shaped artifacts displayed at the Sanxingdui archaeological site in Southwest China’s Sichuan province have attracted significant attention and enthusiasm from the public.
Experts have noted that among the various cultural relics in Sanxingdui, the dragon is a highly prominent cultural symbol that shows the diverse nature of Chinese civilization as well as a shared cultural identity.
According to Xu Danyang, deputy head of the Sanxingdui site of the Sichuan provincial cultural relics and archaeology research institute, the preliminary count of dragon representations involving various artifacts in Sanxingdui is no less than 30. As newly unearthed artifacts are being identified, the number may further increase.
The dragon-shaped artifacts in Sanxingdui can be categorized into two main groups based on their material or carriers. They are bronze ware and pottery, with the majority consisting of bronze ware, Xu said.
The artifacts in Sanxingdui display diverse shapes, sizes and forms; some exude a majestic and imposing presence, while others feature tiger or pig-like characteristics. They may stand atop scepters, coil around divine trees, perch on bronze wares, or be intricately engraved on the clothing of bronze figurines.
One of the most notable pieces is the dragon on the bronze divine tree excavated from the No 1 sacrificial pit. Standing at an impressive 3.96 meters, the tree commands attention with a celestial presence. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
