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Zhai Xiang @ZhaiXiang5 on x 12.1K followers
Created: 2025-07-21 12:29:02 UTC
Have you ever noticed that when talking about the 1986 excavations at Sanxingdui, I often focus on Pit No. 2, but rarely mention Pit No. 1? It's true that, overall, the artifacts from Pit No. X are less impressive than those from Pit No. X. However, Pit No. X holds a remarkable treasure that has sparked debate for nearly XX years, an extraordinarily luxurious golden scepter.
This gold scepter is XXX centimeters long and XXX centimeters in diameter. It was made by wrapping a 7-centimeter-wide sheet of gold foil around a wooden stick, which still contains traces of carbonized material. The entire piece weighs XXX grams.
Scepters are believed to have originated in the Mesopotamian region. So for such an artifact to appear in China XXXXX years ago is astonishing. Is this a result of cultural exchange, or simply a parallel evolution of civilizations? In any case, what makes this golden scepter especially intriguing is not just its form, but the enigmatic imagery engraved on it.
At the top of the scepter are four pairs of birds facing each other, and four fish pierced by arrows. Following the arrow shafts, we find two figures wearing a five-pronged crown and triangular earrings, with a beaming, almost mischievous smile.
What do the birds and fish mean? Some scholars believe they represent totems of early rulers in the Sichuan region. But if these were indeed royal totems, it seems odd that they would be shown being pierced by arrows. Others have suggested that the "arrows" might actually be rice stalks, symbolizing harvest, though this interpretation feels a bit far-fetched to me.
So what, exactly, are the "smiling men" on the scepter smiling about? Is it joy over a bountiful harvest, or are they playfully mocking us for failing to decipher the symbols he left behind? While we may not yet fully understand the secrets of this golden scepter, one thing is clear: the people of Sanxingdui not only knew how to craft dazzling artifacts, they also knew how to embed mysteries in them, giving later generations plenty to ponder, and plenty of room for imagination.
What do you think?
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