Microscopic and chemical analyses of artefacts from the Sanxingdui sacrificial pits reveal that the ancient Shu civilization regularly incorporated woven textiles into their Late Shang period religious ceremonies. Archaeologists found that these communities adorned and wrapped sacred bronze, gold, jade, and ivory items with fine mulberry fabric. This evidence demonstrates that complex textile production was an established ritual practice in Sichuan Province more than three millennia ago. Notably, one circular bronze ornament excavated from the site preserved up to five distinct layers of wrapped fabric.
Key points
The ancient Shu people used silk fabrics to cover, wrap, and decorate valuable ceremonial…: The ancient Shu people used silk fabrics to cover, wrap, and decorate valuable ceremonial objects between 1300 and 1046 BC.
Structural textile analysis proves ancient artisans mastered techniques ranging from simp…: Structural textile analysis proves ancient artisans mastered techniques ranging from simple loose weaves to complex, highly dense patterns.
Layered textile remains found in the sacrificial pits provide direct physical evidence of…: Layered textile remains found in the sacrificial pits provide direct physical evidence of intentional ceremonial practices during the Late Shang period.
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Scientists examining 3,000-year-old objects recovered from the Sanxingdui archaeological site in China's Sichuan Province have found traces of silk on 101 artefacts, including bronze masks, gold, jade and ivory objects. According to a study
published in the journal Antiquity on Sunday, researchers used microscopic and chemical tests to examine the remains and found evidence that the ancient Shu people may have used silk to wrap or cover valuable objects during religious ceremonies. The tests also revealed traces of red colouring on some of the fabric.
One of the objects examined was a large bronze mask with small patches of silk still attached near its right eye and eyebrow. Scientists identified three separate areas where the fabric had survived. Interestingly, the pieces did not all have the same weaving pattern or condition. This led researchers to consider whether different pieces of silk had been placed on the mask for decoration or as part of a ritual.
The mask was among several objects recovered from Sanxingdui, a site associated with the ancient Shu culture. The objects belong to the Late Shang period,…
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