# Where were the Sanxingdui bronzes made, and where did their metal come from? · Sanxingdui and its sacrificial pits > Four answers have been proposed. Heads, masks and trees were cast locally; the zun and lei vessels were made in the middle or lower Yangtze… leads, with… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/sanxingdui/questions/QST0D739W6A6ACC/where-were-the-sanxingdui-bronzes-made-and-where-did-their Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:58:42+00:00 --- **0** # Where were the Sanxingdui bronzes made, and where did their metal come from? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·4 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: heads, masks and trees were cast locally; the zun and lei vessels were made in the middle or lower Yangtze…** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Four answers have been proposed. Heads, masks and trees were cast locally; the zun and lei vessels were made in the middle or lower Yangtze… leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its tests. Three are still possible. Of the one narrower question under it, one is answered. ## Why it matters No casting workshop has been found in Sichuan, and the bronzes mix a unique local style with Shang-like vessels; the answer shows how Sanxingdui related to Shang China and the Yangtze⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D739MVY6VCB/deciphering-the-origins-of-sanxingdui-bronzes-through)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D739NBJ0B83/bronze-manufacture-at-sanxingdui-technological). ## Answers 4 [**Heads, masks and trees were cast locally; the zun and lei vessels were made in the middle or lower Yangtze…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/sanxingdui/answers/ANS0D739ZKP4JM4/heads-masks-and-trees-were-cast-locally-the-zun-and-lei) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for Most likely [**All the bronzes were cast locally at or near Sanxingdui.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/sanxingdui/answers/ANS0D739Z4236YM/all-the-bronzes-were-cast-locally-at-or-near-sanxingdui) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 against Disputed [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/sanxingdui/answers/ANS0D73A0JY39FY/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**The vessels were custom-made at the Shang capital Anyang and sent to Sanxingdui.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/sanxingdui/answers/ANS0D73A03A52W4/the-vessels-were-custom-made-at-the-shang-capital-anyang-and) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 against Disputed ## History 1. 2025[Lian et al. puts forward: all the bronzes were cast locally at or near Sanxingdui.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D739MVY6VCB/deciphering-the-origins-of-sanxingdui-bronzes-through) 1. 2025[Lian et al. puts forward: heads, masks and trees were cast locally; the zun and lei vessels were made in the middle or lower Yangtze…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D739MVY6VCB/deciphering-the-origins-of-sanxingdui-bronzes-through) 1. 2025[Lian et al. puts forward: the vessels were custom-made at the Shang capital Anyang and sent to Sanxingdui.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D739MVY6VCB/deciphering-the-origins-of-sanxingdui-bronzes-through) 1. 2025[Lian et al.: vessel cores (Groups B and C) differ from local natural samples and match middle and lower Yangtze casting…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D739MVY6VCB/deciphering-the-origins-of-sanxingdui-bronzes-through)Against: All the bronzes were cast locally at or near Sanxingdui. 1. 2025[Lian et al.: 39 casting cores from Pits 1 and 2 form groups by object class; non-vessel cores match local materials,…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D739MVY6VCB/deciphering-the-origins-of-sanxingdui-bronzes-through)For: Heads, masks and trees were cast locally; the zun and lei vessels were made in the middle or lower Yangtze… 1. 2025[Lian et al.: vessel cores align with middle and lower Yangtze casting cores rather than with other sites compared.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D739MVY6VCB/deciphering-the-origins-of-sanxingdui-bronzes-through)Against: The vessels were custom-made at the Shang capital Anyang and sent to Sanxingdui. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/sanxingdui/questions/QST0D739W6A6ACC/where-were-the-sanxingdui-bronzes-made-and-where-did-their%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/sanxingdui/questions/QST0D739W6A6ACC/where-were-the-sanxingdui-bronzes-made-and-where-did-their%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/sanxingdui/questions/QST0D739W6A6ACC/where-were-the-sanxingdui-bronzes-made-and-where-did-their%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/sanxingdui/questions/QST0D739W6A6ACC/where-were-the-sanxingdui-bronzes-made-and-where-did-their%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/sanxingdui/questions/QST0D739W6A6ACC/where-were-the-sanxingdui-bronzes-made-and-where-did-their%23add-source) Where it fits Sanxingdui and its sacrificial pits **Where were the Sanxingdui bronzes made, and where did their metal come from?** Key question · you're here [Did Sanxingdui share its metal source with the Shang?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/sanxingdui/questions/QST0D739WE46E8Z/did-sanxingdui-share-its-metal-source-with-the-shang)Answered · Sanxingdui bronzes use the same highly radiogenic lead source as late Shang bronzes. [ Ask a question under this one ]