# Did Sanxingdui share its metal source with the Shang? · Sanxingdui and its sacrificial pits

> Two answers have been proposed. Sanxingdui bronzes use the same highly radiogenic lead source as late Shang bronzes. leads, with evidence 2 for…

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Updated: 2026-10-26T11:58:42+00:00  

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# Did Sanxingdui share its metal source with the Shang?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [Where were the Sanxingdui bronzes made, and where did their metal come from?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/sanxingdui/questions/QST0D739W6A6ACC/where-were-the-sanxingdui-bronzes-made-and-where-did-their)·2 answers·0·0 following

**Answered: Sanxingdui bronzes use the same highly radiogenic lead source as late Shang bronzes.** Passed its tests and review.

 

## Where it stands

Two answers have been proposed. Sanxingdui bronzes use the same highly radiogenic lead source as late Shang bronzes. leads, with evidence 2 for: supported by its tests. One is still possible.

## Why it matters

Highly radiogenic lead marks most late Shang bronze; its presence at Sanxingdui links the two through a shared metal network⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D739MVY6VCB/deciphering-the-origins-of-sanxingdui-bronzes-through)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D739PJM2Z60/a-study-on-lead-isotope-ratios-of-the-sanxingdui-pit-burial).

## Answers 2



[**Sanxingdui bronzes use the same highly radiogenic lead source as late Shang bronzes.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/sanxingdui/answers/ANS0D73A0TR25RP/sanxingdui-bronzes-use-the-same-highly-radiogenic-lead)

Supported by its tests

Evidence: 2 for

Most likely



[**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/sanxingdui/answers/ANS0D73A1J67MCP/none-of-these)

Failed a test; not refuted outright

Evidence: none yet

Disputed

## History

1. 1995[Jin et al. puts forward: sanxingdui bronzes use the same highly radiogenic lead source as late Shang bronzes.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D739PJM2Z60/a-study-on-lead-isotope-ratios-of-the-sanxingdui-pit-burial)
1. 2025[Lian et al.: all tested Sanxingdui bronzes, vessels and non-vessels, show highly radiogenic lead.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D739MVY6VCB/deciphering-the-origins-of-sanxingdui-bronzes-through)For: Sanxingdui bronzes use the same highly radiogenic lead source as late Shang bronzes.
1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site

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Where it fits

Sanxingdui and its sacrificial pits

[**Where were the Sanxingdui bronzes made, and where did their metal come from?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/sanxingdui/questions/QST0D739W6A6ACC/where-were-the-sanxingdui-bronzes-made-and-where-did-their)Key question · most likely heads, masks and trees were cast locally; the zun and lei vessels were made in the middle or lower Yangtze…

**Did Sanxingdui share its metal source with the Shang?** You're here · Sanxingdui bronzes use the same highly radiogenic lead source as late Shang bronzes.

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