The sacrificial area at the Sanxingdui site in Guanghan, Sichuan :Sacrificial Area Archaeological Team of the Sanxingdui Site

Since May 2022, six newly-discovered sacrificial pits have been excavated at the Sanxingdui site, revealing 13,000 cataloged artifacts. Over 3000 of them are intact, well-preserved artifacts made of ivory and other materials. Considering the discoveries from these six pits and the two previously excavated pits, we propose that pits K5 and K6 were used as sacrificial pits for sacrificial activities, while the other pits served as burial pits for ritual objects. The excavations detailed in this article hold great significance for understanding the sacrificial activities, the sacrificial systems of the ancient Shu state, and the shifting settlement patterns at the Sanxingdui site.

Automated summary

Since May 2022, six newly-discovered sacrificial pits have been excavated at the Sanxingdui site, revealing 13,000 cataloged artifacts, with over 3000 of them intact. Based on these discoveries and previous excavations, it is proposed that pits K5 and K6 were used for sacrificial activities, while other pits served as burial pits for ritual objects. The excavations detailed in this article hold great significance in understanding the sacrificial activities, sacrificial systems of the ancient Shu state, and the shifting settlement patterns at the Sanxingdui site.