The Divine Construction of Golden Masks: The Evolution of Belief Behind the Craft Differences Between Sanxingdui and Jinsha Gold Artifacts
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The golden masks unearthed from the Sanxingdui and Jinsha sites, as iconic artifacts of ancient Shu civilization, reveal through their craft differences not only technological evolution but also profound transformations in the belief system of the ancient Shu people. Taking the construction of divinity as its core perspective, this study compares the differences between the gold masks from these two sites in terms of material selection, manufacturing techniques, and morphological characteristics. Combined with archeological context and documentary records, it unveils the intrinsic correlation between craft evolution and belief systems. The research finds that Sanxingdui gold masks, through their attachment-based craftsmanship, reinforced the unity of divine authority and kingship, while Jinsha gold masks, through the technological breakthrough of creating independent objects, accomplished a transformation of belief from symbols of deities to vessels of ancestor worship. This process both perpetuated the core spirit of ancient Shu civilization and adapted to the demands of social structural changes, providing crucial clues for undserstanding the ancient Shu pathway within the pluralistic yet unified pattern of Chinese civilization.
Author: Hongjia Guo
Institution: Loughborough University
Language: English
Subfield: General Arts and Humanities
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $944
OpenAlex ID: W7128444392