Chinese archaeologists unearth biggest bronze beast from Sanxingdui ruins
- The animal figure is the largest uncovered from the mysterious site in decades of digging and has a large mouth, huge ears and hooves
- The ruins are believed to contain the treasures of the Shu kingdom, which dates back 4,500 years
The bronze was discovered in July last year, but archaeologists were not able to lift it out of the pit until Wednesday, when other bronze objects piled on top of the statue were removed.
“But this one is very large in size, with height and width both measuring about one metre (3.3 feet). It’s the only one at the whole site,” Zhao was quoted by state broadcaster CCTV as saying.
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A human figurine was attached to what looks like a horn on the creature’s head. The figure was dressed in a long gown and appeared to be riding or controlling the animal.
Another human-shaped artefact was found lying by the animal’s side with its head missing. Human statuettes in different postures were also found nearby, which Zhao speculated could originally have been attached to the bronze beast’s body.