These ancient sculptures, over 3,000 years old, were discovered at the archaeological site of Sanxingdui in China’s Chengdu Plain. While they may appear reminiscent of Mayan or Aztec art to some, they are distinctly Chinese artifacts.
Sanxingdui, believed to be the largest and oldest site of the Shu kingdom, a civilization in southwestern China, remained hidden until the 1920s when a farmer stumbled upon it while digging an irrigation ditch. The site contains the ruins of an ancient city, complete with residences, sacrificial pits, and tombs enclosed by high dirt walls. Archaeologists estimate that the city was established around 4,800 to 2,800 years ago and was abandoned around 800 BC for reasons that remain unknown.
The Chinese government has promoted Sanxingdui as evidence of China’s long, uninterrupted history, and these discoveries have been included in history textbooks for over a decade. The exhibition in Hong Kong, featuring around 120 artifacts, is the first time many of these objects have been showcased outside Sichuan province. It’s also worth noting that these sculptures predate the famous Terracotta Army by at least 1,000 years.
The Shu kingdom, which existed during the Bronze Age, is believed to have developed independently of the Yellow River Valley societies that are traditionally considered the cradle of Chinese civilization. The Shu people created exquisite bronze, jade, gold, and ceramic objects, depicting fantastical creatures, kings, gods, and shamans with distinctive features such as bulging eyes and enlarged ears.
While much remains mysterious about the Shu kingdom, these artifacts provide a glimpse into their culture and craftsmanship. The exhibition showcases the advanced, imaginative, and artistic nature of Shu art, surpassing contemporary Chinese art from that period. The sculptures, with their intricate details and elaborate designs, offer a unique perspective on ancient Chinese civilization and artistic expression.