Archaeologists at the Sanxingdui archaeological site in Sichuan have discovered an unprecedented bronze artifact in the newly opened Ritual Pit No. 13. The find consists of a massive, circular bronze base intended for a 'spirit tree,' featuring intricate mother-of-pearl inlays and gold-leaf patterns depicting celestial chariots and mythical serpents.
This is the first time that mother-of-pearl has been identified as a decorative element in Sanxingdui bronze work, indicating an even higher level of artistic craftsmanship and potential trade links with distant coastal regions. The discovery provides new insights into the sacrificial rituals of the ancient Shu Kingdom and the symbolic importance of the world tree in their religious cosmology.