The over 400 jade articles, including the jade cong, jade bi, jade zhang, dagger-axes, jade spears, jade axes, jade chisels, jade jin, jade bracelets, jade rings, jade plates, jade hanging adornments, jade beads, jade materials and so on, are all delicately and carefully made. What amazes people is that the style of the jade articles unearthed here bears a strong resemblance to that of the jade ware found at Liangzhu on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. This indicates that the ancient Shu State was engaged in frequent, active communication and trade with the outside world at that time.

              The jade articles found in Jinsha Ruins are not only large in number but also delicate in design, of which the biggest one is an emerald jade cong (a long hollow piece of jade with rectangular sides) of about 22 centimeters high. The workmanship of this jade cong, especially the miniature carving on its surface, is really breathtakingly exquisite and its design and style are quite similar to those that represent the Liangzhu civilization. Great numbers of gui-shaped jade chisels and jade plates bear the special traits of the ancient Shu culture, and large quantities of Jade zhangs are carefully designed with beautiful lines on the surface; some of them are dyed a distinctive red. The jade articles discovered in Jinsha Ruins show some traces of the Central Plain civilization and the Liangzhu civilization on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The jade cong and jade zhang may well have been transported here by way of the Yangtze River. The characteristics of the jade articles unearthed in Jinsha also show that the ancient Shu State was actively engaged in communication and trade with the outside world.

 

 

Home - culture&travel - Sichuan Province - Jinsha Ruins