The site was uncovered in February 2001 during a property development and proved to be a major settlement and ceremonial center of the Shu kingdom, dating from about 1200 to 650 BCE. It is understood as the successor to the Sanxingdui culture found further north at Guanghan, and together the two sites have rewritten the early history of the Sichuan basin.
What was found
Excavations recovered thousands of objects in gold, bronze, jade, stone and ivory. The most famous is a circular gold foil ornament showing four birds flying around a twelve-rayed sun, now used as the emblem of Chengdu. Also significant are kneeling stone figures, jade cong tubes, bronze figures and a large quantity of elephant tusks, which indicate long-distance trade and a ceremonial use of ivory.
The museum
The complex has two parts: the excavation hall, which covers the original dig in a large protective structure and lets you look down at the pits and the ancient riverbed from raised walkways, and the exhibition hall, which displays the objects with good English interpretation. The ivory and the gold work are the pieces most visitors remember.
Practical notes
The museum is in the northwest of Chengdu, about twenty minutes by road from the city center, and is often combined with the panda base on the same morning since they lie in the same direction. Allow two hours. It is a strong choice for families and for anyone interested in archaeology, and it makes a good complement to a visit to Sanxingdui if you have time for both.
