Jinsha site: Difference between revisions

| epochs = Shang Dynastydynasty and/or Western Zhou Dynastydynasty

}}'''Jinsha''' ({{zh|c={{linktext|金沙}}|p=Jīnshā}}) is a Chinese archaeological site located in the [[Qingyang District]] of [[Chengdu]], the capital of China's [[Sichuan|Sichuan Province]]. Along with [[Sanxingdui]], the site is the first major discovery in China during the 21st century.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|title=Jinsha Site Museum|url=http://english.jinshasitemuseum.com/About/HeritagePark|access-date=2021-05-16|website=english.jinshasitemuseum.com}}</ref> It is listed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Tentative List and Major Sites Protected at the National Level.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite journal|last1=Bai|first1=Lu|last2=Zhou|first2=Shuang-Lin|date=2012-11-01|title=Issues of In Situ Conservation at Jinsha, People's Republic of China|url=https://doi.org/10.1179/1350503312Z.00000000022|journal=Conservation and Management of Archaeological Sites|volume=14|issue=1–4|pages=263–272|doi=10.1179/1350503312Z.00000000022|s2cid=110648134 |issn=1350-5033}}</ref> The [[China Internet Information Center|Chinese Internet Information Centre]] ranked Jinsha 5th on the Top 10 Archaeological Discoveries in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Top Ten Archaeological Discoveries of 2001|url=http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/Archaeology/97200.htm|access-date=2021-05-25|website=www.china.org.cn}}</ref>

In 2007, the Jinsha Museum was constructed to display the artefacts and features found. This includes the gold sunbird, smiling gold mask and the kneeling stone figures. The gold sunbird artefact is a national symbol of China according to the [[National Cultural Heritage Administration|State Administration of Cultural Heritage]].<ref name=":3" /> Jinsha is organised into different archaeological localities such as Mei Yuan, Lan Yuan and Tiyu Gongyuan.

After the decline of [[Sanxingdui]], Jinsha emerged as the capital of the [[Shu (state)|Shu]] state in the Shang or Western Zhou dynasty. It disappeared between 500 BCE to 200 BCE due to political revolution, earthquakes and/or flooding.

In 2013, [[History (Southeast Asian TV channel)|History Channel Asia]] produced a one-hour English language documentary called ''The Lost City at Jinsha''. It was co-produced with China International Communication Centre (CICC). Dr Agnes Hsu, a Chinese American archaeologist, hosted the episode. The episode is part of the documentary series called 'Mysteries of China'.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Documentary Film: The Lost City of Jinsha (2012) {{!}} US-China Institute|url=https://china.usc.edu/calendar/documentary-film-lost-city-jinsha-2012|access-date=2021-05-26|website=china.usc.edu|language=en}}</ref>

The site was accidentally discovered on 8 February 2001.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Zhangyi|first1=Zhu|last2=Qing|first2=Zhang|last3=Fang|first3=Wang|date=2003|title=The Jinsha Site: An Introduction|url=https://brill.com/view/journals/jeaa/5/1/article-p247.xml|journal=Journal of East Asian Archaeology|volume=5|issue=1|pages=247–276|doi=10.1163/156852303776172935|issn=1387-6813}}</ref>{{rp|252}}<ref name=":1" />{{rp|7}}<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last=Shi|first=Jinsong|date=2014-01-17|title=A discussion on the identity of the stone human figures unearthed at the Jinsha Site|url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/char-2014-0018/html|journal=Chinese Archaeology|volume=14|issue=1|doi=10.1515/char-2014-0018|s2cid=193680530 |issn=2160-5068}}</ref>{{rp|170}} When the China Real Estate Development Group was constructing the Shufeng Huayuancheng ({{zh|c=蜀風花園城|p=}}) 5 kilometers from the centre of Chengdu, a drain was discovered. The drain contained artefacts made of bronze, jade, stone and ivory.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|251}}<ref name=":1" />{{rp|7}} The Chengdu Municipal Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology immediately dispatched a team to investigate and secure the area.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|247}} On 9 February, excavations around the initial drain began.

The term 'Jinsha site' was coined after this discovery.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|255}} It includes the smaller investigation projects that occurred at Jinsha since 1995.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|247}}<ref name=":1" />{{rp|7}} Before 2001, the Instituteinstitute had conducted field surveys and small excavation projects at Huangzhongcun ({{zh|c=黃忠村|p=}}).<ref name=":0" />{{rp|252–253}} This included investigations at Locus Sanhe Huayuan ([[Chinese language|Chinese]]: 三合花園) and Locus Jindu Huayuan ([[Chinese language|Chinese]]: 金都花園) between 1995 and 2000. These localities are remnants of a large-scale urban city.

|+The number of features and artifacts found at Jinsha<ref name=":0" />{{rp|261-264261–264}}<ref name=":1" />{{rp|7}}

Buildings, tombs, graves, kilns, refuse pits and cellar pits were found at Locus Lan Yuan.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|258}}<ref name=":1" />{{rp|12}} Buildings were found in the north, while burials were found in the south and west of the locality.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|258}} Excavation here by the Instituteinstitute occurred between July 2001 and January 2002. It is situated next to Locus Mei Yuan and covers 15 hectares.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|258}} Before it became a burial site, it was a residential area for the people living in Jinsha.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|258}}<ref name=":1" />{{rp|12}}

Larger palace-like residential buildings and burial pits were found at Locus Tiyu Gongyuan.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|258}}<ref name=":1" />{{rp|12}} Excavation efforts were focused here between October toand November 2001.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|258}} It is next to Locus Lan Yuan and covers 9 hectares. Burial pits were the most densely populated here, with 15 burials found within 81 square metres. The locality was a residential area for the wealthier residents at Jinsha, before it became a place of burials.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|258}}<ref name=":1" />{{rp|12}}

The gold artefact is circular with a 12-point sun in the middle.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chengdu's golden treasures are tops with tourists - China - Chinadaily.com.cn|url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/regional/2015-01/20/content_19359099.htm|access-date=2021-05-25|website=www.chinadaily.com.cn}}</ref> With a concentration of 94.2% gold, the [[gold leaf]] was made with natural [[wikt:gold dust|gold dust]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |title=Jinsha site : a 21st century discovery of Chinese archaeology|date=2006|publisher=China Intercontinental Press |translator=Wang Pingxing |isbn=7-5085-0854-8|edition=1st |location=Beijing|oclc=170660577}}</ref> On the perimeters of the leaf, four birds flying towards the left have been carved out.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|261-262261–262}} In 2005, the [[State Administration of Cultural Heritage]] stated that the artefact symbolised Chinese history.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Chengdu's golden treasures are tops with tourists - China - Chinadaily.com.cn|url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/regional/2015-01/20/content_19359099.htm|access-date=2021-05-16|website=www.chinadaily.com.cn}}</ref> It was believed to represent the legend in the ''[[Classic of Mountains and Seas]]''.<ref name=":3" /> The legend explained that sunset occurred when four birds pulled it down from the sky.<ref name=":3" /> Due to its popularity, the artefact is the logo for the Jinsha Museum, which currently displays it on the second floor.<ref name=":3" /> Since people at Jinsha worshipped the sun, the gold sunbird is regarded to symbolise authority and power.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|262}}

The gold mask has crescent-shaped eyes and a half-opened mouth.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|261-262261–262}} <ref name=":1" />{{rp|9}}<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|title=Gold relics set Jinsha excavation apart[2]- Chinadaily.com.cn|url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/culture/2014-08/05/content_18249644_2.htm|access-date=2021-05-25|website=www.chinadaily.com.cn}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite web|title=Treasures of Chengdu - China - Chinadaily.com.cn|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/kindle/2017-05/30/content_29546848.htm|access-date=2021-05-25|website=www.chinadaily.com.cn}}</ref> The design makes it appear to be 'smiling'. It is 3.7 centimetres in height and 4.7 centimetres in width. This design has not been found anywhere else in China.<ref name=":2" /> Its thin mould was made by beating sheets of gold.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":12" /> The mask was used for religious worship and prayers when it was bonded onto figures.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":13" /> For the people at Jinsha, the mask was an avenue to connect with deities.<ref name=":13" />

The discovered features found at Jinsha include residential buildings, burials, pits and pottery kilns.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|260-261260–261}}<ref name=":1" />{{rp|7}}<ref name=":5" />{{rp|371}} Based on this combination, Jinsha was a large urban centre.<ref name=":5" />{{rp|372}} Ordinary life involved social, religious and cultural elements.<ref name=":1" />{{rp|12}}<ref name=":5" />{{rp|372}}[[File:An ivory tusk in Jinsha Site Museum.jpg|thumb|233x233px|Elephant tusk found in the pit]]

[[File:Pottery kiln found at Jinsha.jpg|thumb|233x233px|Pottery kiln ]]

At Locus Lan Yuan and Locus Tiyu Gongyuan, 300 burial pits were found.<ref name=":1" />{{rp|7}} They mostly faced south-west, but some faced north-west.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|260}}<ref name=":1" />{{rp|7}} Skeletons were found to be lying upwards with their hands covering the chest.<ref name=":2" /> Contrary to the burials found in [[Sanxingdui]], half only contained the body.<ref name=":0" />{{rp|260}}<ref name=":1" />{{rp|7}} The other half had burial goods but were limited to pottery. Only in five burials were jade and bronze artefacts also found. [[Chamber tomb|Burial chambers]] were found to include either single bodies or bodies of couples.<ref name=":2" /> The layout of burials did not indicate a social hierarchy in the Jinsha civilisation. The even distribution indicates that the society was not organised in a top-down manner.<ref name=":5" />{{rp|379}}

Around 500 BCE to 200 BCE, the Jinsha settlement ended abruptly.<ref name=":10" />{{rp|78}}<ref name=":9">{{Cite journal|last1=Lin|first1=Aiming|last2=Wang|first2=Maomao|date=2017|title=Great earthquakes and the fall of the Sanxingdui and Jinsha civilizations in central China|journal=Geoarchaeology|language=en|volume=32|issue=4|pages=479–493|doi=10.1002/gea.21624|issn=1520-6548|doi-access=free}}</ref>{{rp|480}}<ref name=":11">{{Cite journal|last1=Wen|first1=Xingyue|last2=Bai|first2=Song|last3=Zeng|first3=Na|last4=Page Chamberlain|first4=C.|last5=Wang|first5=Chengshan|last6=Huang|first6=Chengmin|last7=Zhang|first7=Qing|date=2012-10-10|title=Interruptions of the ancient Shu Civilization: triggered by climate change or natural disaster?|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00531-012-0825-9|journal=International Journal of Earth Sciences|volume=102|issue=3|pages=933–947|doi=10.1007/s00531-012-0825-9|s2cid=129120578 |issn=1437-3254}}</ref>{{rp|934}} While the reasons remain unclear, experts have proposed political revolution, catastrophic floods and earthquakes as possibilities.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":11" />{{efn|Information regarding the collapse of the Jinsha civilisation have predominately been written in Chinese. It is recognised that knowledge on the different perspectives could be enhanced by these readings.}} Of these, the political conflict hypothesis has been criticised due to its unrealistic ability to cause an entire settlement to disappear.<ref name=":9" />{{rp|490-491490–491}}