Core Viewpoint - The 2025 Sanxingdui Forum, themed "Civilization Mutual Learning from an Archaeological Perspective," highlighted significant multidisciplinary research findings from the Sanxingdui site, confirming the sacrificial pits' dating to the late Shang Dynasty and introducing unique bronze casting techniques that contribute to understanding the diversity and unity of Chinese civilization [1][4][6]. Group 1: Dating of Sacrificial Pits - The sacrificial pits No. 3, 4, 6, and 8 have a 95.4% probability of dating between 1201 BC and 1012 BC, corresponding to the late Shang Dynasty [4]. - The discovery of matching fragments from pits No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8 indicates they were buried around the same time, providing crucial evidence for establishing a detailed chronological framework for the site [4]. Group 2: Bronze Casting Innovations - Research indicates that the bronze casting technology at Sanxingdui during the late Shang Dynasty was characterized by a core technique of "core-bone—strip core support," effectively addressing the challenges of forming slender and curved objects [6][7]. - This innovation reflects unique technical advancements and local expressions within the existing technological framework, enhancing the understanding of ancient Chinese bronze casting systems and the mechanisms of cultural exchange in bronze technology [7]. Group 3: Multidisciplinary Research Findings - Significant findings include the estimated use of over 2 kilograms of gold at the Sanxingdui site, with gold artifacts made from gold-silver alloys, likely sourced from stable placer gold mines and refined using the cupellation method [10]. - The painted bronze artifacts utilized cinnabar and lacquer, representing the earliest known copper-lacquered items in China, revealing a close connection between the Sanxingdui and Jinsha sites through lacquer technology [10]. - The standardization trends in pottery, particularly in the Shang Dynasty, indicate a shift towards more uniform shapes and sizes, supporting the rise of a high-density population reliant on intensive wetland rice agriculture [11]. - Research on ivory artifacts led to the development of preservation techniques, ensuring that excavated ivory can be maintained and displayed in regular environments [11]. Group 4: Future Research Directions - The Sanxingdui site will continue to advance archaeological excavations, artifact preservation, and multidisciplinary research to explore unknown aspects and reveal origins, aiming to showcase the brilliance of ancient Shu civilization and the diverse unity of Chinese civilization [13].

Core Insights - The 2025 Sanxingdui Forum, themed "Civilizational Mutual Learning from an Archaeological Perspective," opened in Deyang, Sichuan, showcasing significant archaeological findings from the Sanxingdui site [1] Group 1: Dating of Ritual Pits - The Sichuan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and Peking University conducted radiocarbon dating, revealing that the burial dates of ritual pits No. 3, 4, 6, and 8 have a 95.4% probability of being between 1201 BC and 1012 BC, corresponding to the late Shang Dynasty [6] - The discovery of matching fragments of the same artifacts in pits No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8 indicates that these pits were buried around the same time, providing crucial evidence for clarifying the dating of the ritual pits and constructing a detailed chronological framework for the site [6] Group 2: Innovations in Bronze Casting Technology - Joint research by the Sichuan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, the Palace Museum, Beijing University of Science and Technology, and the Cambridge Joseph Needham Research Institute has led to new insights into bronze casting techniques, revealing that the Sanxingdui bronze artifacts utilized an innovative casting technology system centered on "parting casting," alongside "whole casting" and forging [7] - The unique "core-bone—strip core support" technique effectively addressed the challenges of forming slender and curved artifacts, showcasing distinctive technological innovation and local expression within the existing technological framework [7] Group 3: Multidisciplinary Research Findings - Additional significant findings from the Sanxingdui site include advancements in gold artifact production technology, copper artifact painting techniques, standardized pottery production, rice cultivation methods, and ivory preservation techniques [9] - The estimated gold usage at the Sanxingdui site exceeds 2 kilograms, making it unparalleled in China during the same period, with gold artifacts being made from gold-silver alloys likely sourced from stable placer gold mines [9] - The painted bronze artifacts from Sanxingdui utilized cinnabar and lacquer, representing the earliest copper-lacquered artifacts in China, revealing a close connection between the Sanxingdui and Jinsha sites through lacquer technology [9] - The pottery from the late Shang Dynasty shows significant changes in the quantity and particle size of the raw materials, with a trend towards higher standardization in the proportions and rim shapes of the vessels [9] - Early ancient Shu inhabitants established an intensive wetland rice agriculture system, which supported a high-density population and contributed to the rapid rise of the Sanxingdui site [9] - Research on the preservation status, diseases, and degradation mechanisms of excavated ivory has led to the development of on-site preservation and dehydration reinforcement techniques, allowing for the preservation and display of excavated ivory in conventional environments [9] Group 4: Future Directions - The Sanxingdui site will continue to advance archaeological excavations, cultural relic protection, and multidisciplinary research, aiming to explore the unknown, reveal origins, and effectively interpret and present the archaeological achievements of the Sanxingdui site, showcasing the brilliant ancient Shu civilization and the diverse unity of Chinese civilization [11]