# Why was Sanxingdui abandoned? · Sanxingdui and its sacrificial pits > Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible. Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/sanxingdui/questions/QST0D739WNY79DE/why-was-sanxingdui-abandoned Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:58:42+00:00 --- **0** # Why was Sanxingdui abandoned? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [Why were the Sanxingdui objects broken, burned and buried?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/sanxingdui/questions/QST0D739VYG5PHX/why-were-the-sanxingdui-objects-broken-burned-and-buried)·3 answers·0·0 following **Three answers, none ahead** None is ahead yet. See what would settle it. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible. ## Why it matters The pits are often tied to the end of the centre and a move to Jinsha⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D739NV63J28/trove-of-13-000-artifacts-sheds-light-on-enigmatic-chinese)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D739PAT6DM4/mystery-of-ancient-chinese-civilizations-disappearance). ## Answers 3 [**An earthquake about 3,000 years ago triggered landslides that diverted the river, and the people moved to…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/sanxingdui/answers/ANS0D73A1T01XFV/an-earthquake-about-3-000-years-ago-triggered-landslides) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for Still possible [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/sanxingdui/answers/ANS0D73A2S82CDH/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**Political change, such as conquest or the rise of a new centre at Jinsha, ended Sanxingdui.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/sanxingdui/answers/ANS0D73A29M5YFK/political-change-such-as-conquest-or-the-rise-of-a-new) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for Still possible ## History 1. 2014[Ghose puts forward: an earthquake about 3,000 years ago triggered landslides that diverted the river, and the people moved to…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D739PAT6DM4/mystery-of-ancient-chinese-civilizations-disappearance) 1. 2014[Ghose: terrace walls and sediment evidence indicate an earthquake and floods sometime between 3,330 and 2,200 years…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D739PAT6DM4/mystery-of-ancient-chinese-civilizations-disappearance)For: An earthquake about 3,000 years ago triggered landslides that diverted the river, and the people moved to… 1. 2022[Solly puts forward: political change, such as conquest or the rise of a new centre at Jinsha, ended Sanxingdui.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D739NV63J28/trove-of-13-000-artifacts-sheds-light-on-enigmatic-chinese) 1. 2022[Solly: similar objects at Jinsha suggest the community moved there.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D739NV63J28/trove-of-13-000-artifacts-sheds-light-on-enigmatic-chinese)For: Political change, such as conquest or the rise of a new centre at Jinsha, ended Sanxingdui. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/sanxingdui/questions/QST0D739WNY79DE/why-was-sanxingdui-abandoned%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/QST0D739WNY79DE/why-was-sanxingdui-abandoned%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/QST0D739WNY79DE/why-was-sanxingdui-abandoned%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/QST0D739WNY79DE/why-was-sanxingdui-abandoned%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/QST0D739WNY79DE/why-was-sanxingdui-abandoned%23add-source) Where it fits Sanxingdui and its sacrificial pits [**Why were the Sanxingdui objects broken, burned and buried?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/sanxingdui/questions/QST0D739VYG5PHX/why-were-the-sanxingdui-objects-broken-burned-and-buried)Key question · most likely the objects were offerings, broken and burned in rites and buried in the sacrificial area **Why was Sanxingdui abandoned?** You're here · 3 answers, inconclusive [ Ask a question under this one ]