A symposium commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Sanxingdui excavation opened on Saturday in Chengdu City in southwest China's Sichuan Province with the aim of strengthening international collaboration in the research of this significant archaeological discovery.
The event, titled "Sanxingdui in Bronze Age Eurasia: Retrospect and Prospects after 90 Years," runs until Dec. 17 and features 22 scholars from seven countries, including China, the United States, and France. These experts will discuss a range of topics, such as Sanxingdui’s technology, art, resources, and belief systems.
Discovered in the late 1920s in the city of Guanghan, Sichuan Province, the Sanxingdui Ruins have been dubbed as one of the world's most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. The first scientific archaeological excavation was conducted in 1934.
The ruins, covering an area of 12 square kilometers, are believed to be the remnants of the Shu Kingdom, dating back some 4,500 to 3,000 years.
A new book titled “90th Anniversary of Sanxingdui Archaeology” was launched at the opening ceremony, showcasing key research findings on Sanxingdui and the ancient Shu civilization contributed by several generations of scholars over the past century.
The symposium provides a platform for researchers to share insights, review past achievements systematically, and explore new directions for Sanxingdui research from a global perspective.
"I think that international collaboration in all realms is a way in which we maintain a civil society throughout the world, and having sites like Sanxingdui, they are so important not just for understanding local history but for understanding of all of Eurasian prehistory. (It’s) really crucial to expose (these facts) to people who do research throughout the world. And the best way to do that is to have active, outgoing, collaborative research on places like Sanxingdui, where you bring in experts who have new perspectives, new ways of doing things and thinking about discoveries on having conversations," said Rowan Flad, professor of anthropology at Harvard University.
To date, more than 60,000 cultural relics have been unearthed at Sanxingdui. In less than a year since its opening, the new Sanxingdui Museum has welcomed over 5 million visitors from around the globe.
Symposium on 90th anniversary of Sanxingdui excavation opens in Chengdu
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
