Sanxingdui Bronze Divine Beast and Top Kneeling Figure Successfully "Combine"
The bronze mythical beast was unearthed at the bottom of pit 3 in the sacrificial area of Sanxingdui, near the west wall. 28.5 centimeters in length, 26.4 centimeters in height, and 23 centimeters in width. The entire artifact presents the image of a beast with its head raised and limbs crouching on the ground, with missing hind limbs and damaged ears, tail, and other parts. The divine beast has a horn on its head, with the word 'minister', a flat, round, wide mouth, a short neck, a slender trunk, a straight chest, a collapsed waist, limbs stretched out, hooves and feet, and a tail that curls up and bends back. The body surface is decorated with cloud and thunder stripes, and the overall shape is robust and powerful.
The top kneeling figure unearthed from Pit 3 of Sanxingdui and the bronze divine beast unearthed from Pit 8 have been successfully matched using 3D scanning technology after being cleared and studied by archaeologists and cultural preservation personnel. This is the second time that cross pit cultural relics have been integrated, following the successful pairing of the top serpent figure unearthed from Pit 8 last year and the remaining bronze bird foot figure unearthed from Pit 2 earlier.
In the virtual photo of the cultural relic complex disclosed by the Sichuan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, it can be seen that the bronze mythical beast unearthed from Pit 8 of Sanxingdui stands with its head held high, with a small upright person wearing a crown and robe standing on top of its head. The top kneeling figure unearthed from Pit 3 kneels on the back of the mythical beast, with his hands clenched and a large mouthful on his head. After the two cultural relics were combined, their shape made people once again marvel at the imaginative imagination of Sanxingdui people.
According to Ran Honglin, the director of the Sanxingdui Archaeological Research Institute, when the top kneeling figure was unearthed from Pit 3, archaeologists discovered that there were mortise and tenon like bayonets at the bottom of its knees and feet, so it is speculated that there should be components connected to it below. After the discovery of the mythical beast in Pit 8, archaeologists did indeed discover two vertebrae with edges on its back, which appeared to be of similar size. Afterwards, the cultural relics protection personnel conducted a three-dimensional scan of the two artifacts and matched them on a computer, ensuring the successful integration of the two artifacts.
The use of three-dimensional scanning technology to match cultural relics is an innovation in the archaeological work of the Sanxingdui Sacrificial Area. Ran Honglin said that the cultural relics unearthed this time have not yet been repaired, and the body of the cultural relics is very fragile. If cultural relics are moved back and forth for alignment, it may cause irreversible damage to the relics. But 3D model alignment can ensure absolute accuracy and authenticity of data, as well as arbitrary transformation and displacement without damaging cultural relics, so accurate alignment results are quickly obtained.
In fact, the unique shape after matching is not unfamiliar to archaeologists. Because before this, there had been a similar design on a shrine in Pit 2 of Sanxingdui. Although the size of the shrine unearthed in Pit 2 is small, it can be clearly seen that there are two divine beasts at the bottom, and multiple small people holding a large statue on top of the beast. The shape is very similar to the cultural relics of Pit 8 and Pit 3.
It may reflect their worldview and worldview. Ran Honglin introduced that according to research by relevant scholars, divine beasts in the sacrificial system of Sanxingdui may represent the earth or a medium between them and the worshippers. The robed figure standing on the head of the divine beast may be responsible for the image of the worshipper, while if the back of the divine beast is held against the deity, it should be a scene of offering sacrifices to the worshipped, and the things enjoyed by the worshipped are those placed within the deity.
So, what image is the object of Sanxingdui people's worship reflected in? Ran Honglin said that there is currently no more accurate information, "I don't know if it is related to dragons. Because three dragons were found on the shoulder of the statue of the top kneeling figure, will its tail come out of the statue? More details still need to be cleared, repaired, and studied in the future to solve
According to reports, the top kneeling figure was previously measured to be 115 centimeters high, and the height of the divine beast was about 95 centimeters. The new cultural relic, which combines the two, will reach about two meters.
Sculpmart is a professional bronze art and bronze artifacts manufacturer providing Chinese Bronze Handcraft arts which will allow you to have a chance to own a masterpiece of Chinese bronze sculptures. If you like, you may choose the style to customize, send us the image and design, our craftsman will reproduce and cast a perfect bronze ware for you.
Please contact if you need.
