The bronze sun-shaped device at the new Sanxingdui Museum. (PHOTO: VCG)

By ZONG Shihan

A bronze sun-shaped device, unearthed at the Sanxingdui Ruins in Sichuan province, has a history of more than 3,000 years. The circular device, around 84 cm in diameter, has a protruding center like the sun. Five arms are radially connected to the surrounding halo. The circular hole in the center of the device and five equally spaced circular holes on the halo are all used for fixing purposes.

The device was made by a secondary casting method. First, the halo and five arms were cast, and then the sun was embedded in the arms using an inlay casting method. Next, holes were drilled at the junction where the arms meet the halo. Finally, liquid copper was poured into the holes to firmly rivet the arms.

The bronze sun-shaped device was once considered by the public to be the most modern relic at the Sanxingdui Ruins because of its resemblance to a car's steering wheel. Speculation about its use have some people saying it is a wheel on a bronze wagon or ornament on a shield. However, the academic community generally believes that it is a sacred artifact regarded as a symbol of the sun, used in rituals.