[Explanation] After 35 years, the Sanxingdui site restarted excavation.
Sanxingdui has been one of the biggest puzzles in Chinese archaeology since its discovery. The unearthed cultural relics of various shapes once triggered the conjecture of "alien culture".
A few days ago, Shi Jinsong, a researcher at the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, recently gave a clear answer to this question in an exclusive interview with China News Service.
[Concurrent] Shi Jinsong, researcher at the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
The cultural relics unearthed in Sanxingdui are very peculiar, but not so strange, let alone an alien civilization.
The reason why some people say this may have a pre-established premise, that is, that ancient civilizations are known and single.
But in fact, ancient civilizations are rich and colorful, and many civilizations are still being explored, and the exploration process is long-term.
We cannot think of a civilization as an alien civilization just because it is unfamiliar and unknown.
[Explanation] Shi Jinsong introduced that the Sanxingdui civilization has its own generation and development pedigree.
In addition, there are exchanges with other cultures.
[Concurrent] Shi Jinsong, researcher at the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
Specifically, it developed from the Baodun culture in the late Neolithic period on the Chengdu Plain. During this period, it absorbed some elements of other regional cultures and later developed into the Jinsha culture.
The continuation of the Jinsha culture is the Bashu culture of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty that we are familiar with, and then the Qin and Han civilizations.
Therefore, the Sanxingdui civilization has its ins and outs, has its own pedigree, and exchanges with other cultures, so it is not an "extraterrestrial culture" at all.
Why do people ask such questions?
Perhaps people have a hope for science and archaeology, believing that archaeology can answer all questions.
But in fact, both archaeology and science are always facing new uncertainties, so research and exploration are long-term.
[Explanation] The copper zong-eye mask, which has attracted much attention from the outside world, was once considered "unlike the Chinese, but somewhat like the Europeans and Americans."
In this regard, Shi Jinsong said that some of the portraits found in Sanxingdui are more realistic, but most of them reflect primitive religious beliefs.
[Concurrent] Shi Jinsong, researcher at the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
The portraits found in Sanxingdui are all works of art. Some of them are more realistic and include different hair styles, but these portraits also have exaggerations in form or demeanor.
There are also some portraits and masks with mythological colors, including bronze portraits with eyes, human faces and bird figures.
This type of character image reflects some primitive religious beliefs, such as sun worship, and does not show real people.
From the perspective of the whole world, there are many exaggerated and abstract figures in ancient and modern China and abroad. This is a common artistic technique.
Especially some early works show mythological thinking, not real people.
From the sphinx of ancient Egypt to the giant stone statues on Easter Island in the South Pacific, they are all such works.
We cannot correspond to people in reality based on these works of art, let alone infer their race.
I think this is neither an academic question nor a scientific research method.
Reporter Wang Shibo, Yu Zhanyi and Huang Yuqin reporting from Beijing
Editor in charge: [Ji Xiang]