84% Pure 'Golden Mask' Discovered in Sichuan Province... Estimated to Be Made 3,000 Years Ago

Thousands-Year-Old Golden Mask Discovered in Sichuan
[Sichuan Sanxingdui Museum Weibo. Resale and DB prohibited] / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] A rare golden mask has been unearthed at an ancient archaeological site in Sichuan Province, China, drawing significant attention from the academic community.

According to local media including Xinhua News on the 21st, Chinese cultural heritage authorities held a briefing on the 20th in Chengdu (成都), Sichuan Province, announcing the discovery of over 500 artifacts such as golden masks, bronze ware, jade objects, and ivory ornaments from six 'sacrifice pits' (祭祀坑) at the Sanxing (三星) archaeological site.

The authorities particularly highlighted the discovery of a golden mask estimated to have been made around 3,000 years ago.

The unearthed golden mask, although missing part of one side of the face, is relatively well-preserved. It measures 23 cm in width and 28 cm in height, weighing approximately 280 grams. The gold purity was analyzed to be about 84%.

The excavation team estimated, "If the golden mask had been intact, its total weight would have exceeded about 500 grams."

Meanwhile, the Sanxing archaeological site is located in Guanghan City, Sichuan Province, preserving traces spanning approximately 2,000 years from the Neolithic period to the ancient Yin Dynasty. The first excavation began in 1934.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.