• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

3,000-year-old silk discovered in Bronze Age sacrificial pits in China

by Dario Radley
December 1, 2024

Recent archaeological research has unveiled groundbreaking evidence of silk use in sacrificial rituals by the Bronze Age civilization in China’s Yangtze River Basin. The discovery, led by the China National Silk Museum and the Sichuan Research Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, provides the first direct archaeological proof of silk’s cultural and religious significance at the Sanxingdui site in Sichuan Province.

3,000-year-old silk discovered in Bronze Age sacrificial pits in China
A silk workshop in China. Credit: Quang Nguyen Vinh

The Sanxingdui site, dated to the late Shang Dynasty (1600–1100 BCE), has fascinated researchers with its eight sacrificial pits containing burned artifacts like jade, bronze, ivory, and gold. Among these finds, a unique “grid-like ware” artifact embedded with jade was coated in fabric remnants. Despite silk’s vulnerability to degradation, scientists applied advanced analytical techniques to confirm the presence of silk residues, marking a historic first for the site.

]The study, published in Scientific Reports, utilized cutting-edge tools including immunoaffinity column (IAC) enrichment, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and proteomics to analyze the samples. Researchers extracted traces from bronze and jade artifacts as well as ash layers within the pits.

The tests identified silk fibroin, the protein central to silk’s structure. Morphological observations revealed smooth, triangular fibers, a signature trait of silk. Proteomic analysis further confirmed the material as mulberry silk (Bombyx mori), representing early sericulture practices that involved cultivating mulberry trees to feed silkworms.

Findings suggest that silk was used as a “material carrier” in rituals, symbolizing communication between Heaven and Earth. Dr. Hu Xia of the Sichuan Research Institute stated, “The silk remnants on jade and bronze artifacts were likely employed in religious ceremonies, reflecting the Shu people’s belief system and their use of silk as a divine connector.” This aligns with historical records of silk’s use in temple rituals and burial garments.

RelatedStories

Ancient Xiaohe boat burials reveal symbolic water journey into the afterlife, new study finds. (Illustration by Anja Schorneck). Credit: Caspari, G., Asian Archaeology (2025)

Ancient Xiaohe boat burials reveal symbolic water journey into the afterlife, new study finds

June 14, 2025
Ancient DNA reveals prehistoric matrilineal society shaped Neolithic China’s burial practices

Ancient DNA reveals prehistoric matrilineal society shaped Neolithic China’s burial practices

June 10, 2025

Radiocarbon dating places the artifacts between 3,148 and 2,966 years ago, positioning them among the oldest known examples of silk fibers. Early accounts of sericulture trace back over 5,000 years in the Yangtze River region, highlighting the enduring legacy of silk production in this area.

Silk, often associated with the global Silk Road trade network, was revered not only for its elegance but also for its perceived supernatural qualities. Researchers noted parallels between the silk-clad artifacts and ancient texts describing silk as a medium for spiritual connection.

The study’s authors believe their findings provide critical insights into the Shu civilization’s technological innovations and religious practices. They conclude, “This marks the first discovery of silk traces at Sanxingdui, offering a window into how ancient people expressed their faith and cultural identity.” The Sanxingdui site is now a pivotal reference for understanding silk’s profound role in shaping early civilizations.

More information: Zheng, H., Yang, R., Guo, J. et al. (2024). Evidence of the use of silk by bronze age civilization for sacrificial purposes in the Yangtze River basin of China. Sci Rep 14, 29175. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-78687-7
Share1Tweet1ShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

Shakespeare’s famous “upstart crow” insult may have come from collaborator Thomas Nashe
Archaeology

Shakespeare’s famous “upstart crow” insult may have come from collaborator Thomas Nashe, new research reveals

June 25, 2025
Ancient mosaics and sacred inscriptions uncovered in Turkey’s Olympos reveal early Christian history
Archaeology

Ancient mosaics and sacred inscriptions uncovered in Turkey’s Olympos reveal early Christian history

June 25, 2025
Hidden treasures uncovered during A47 roadworks reveal secrets of Norfolk’s past
Archaeology

Hidden artifacts uncovered during A47 roadworks reveal secrets of Norfolk’s past

June 24, 2025
Lost Tiwanaku temple unearthed in Bolivia reveals ancient Andes trade and ritual network
Archaeology

Lost Tiwanaku temple unearthed in Bolivia reveals ancient Andes trade and ritual network

June 24, 2025
Genetic study reveals the origin and diversity of the Huns
Archaeology

European Huns were not of Turkic origin but had ancient Siberian roots, linguistic study reveals

June 24, 2025
Viking Age burial near Aarhus linked to Harald Bluetooth’s noble allies unearthed in Denmark
Anthropology

Viking Age burial near Aarhus unearthed with ties to Harald Bluetooth’s noble allies

June 23, 2025

Comments 0

  1. Editorial Team says:
    56 years ago
    Disclaimer: This website is a science-focused magazine that welcomes both academic and non-academic audiences. Comments are written by users and may include personal opinions or unverified claims. They do not necessarily reflect the views of our editorial team or rely on scientific evidence.
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
108K

Threads
42K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

June 9, 2025
6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

June 13, 2025
Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

May 17, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

Shakespeare’s famous “upstart crow” insult may have come from collaborator Thomas Nashe

Shakespeare’s famous “upstart crow” insult may have come from collaborator Thomas Nashe, new research reveals

June 25, 2025
Ancient mosaics and sacred inscriptions uncovered in Turkey’s Olympos reveal early Christian history

Ancient mosaics and sacred inscriptions uncovered in Turkey’s Olympos reveal early Christian history

June 25, 2025
Hidden treasures uncovered during A47 roadworks reveal secrets of Norfolk’s past

Hidden artifacts uncovered during A47 roadworks reveal secrets of Norfolk’s past

June 24, 2025
Lost Tiwanaku temple unearthed in Bolivia reveals ancient Andes trade and ritual network

Lost Tiwanaku temple unearthed in Bolivia reveals ancient Andes trade and ritual network

June 24, 2025
Genetic study reveals the origin and diversity of the Huns

European Huns were not of Turkic origin but had ancient Siberian roots, linguistic study reveals

June 24, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.