Construction workers in Chengdu, China, accidentally discovered the archeological site known as Jinsha in 2001, considered one of the most significant discoveries of the century. The site contains a treasure trove of Jade, gold, and thousands of human remains in burial grounds, with some suggesting possible human sacrifice. Jinsha was an ancient kingdom thriving around the same time as the Shang Dynasty in the Sichuan basin, challenging previous beliefs about the only birthplace of Chinese culture being the Central Plain of the Yellow River. Very little is known about the Shu People, the inhabitants of ancient Chengdu, as they left no written records, and information comes mainly from texts of rival cultures. The discoveries at Jinsha, including giant bronze masks and a bronze figure with divine powers, indicate a complex religious and cultural system. The civilization's disappearance might be linked to natural disasters like earthquakes and floods or changes in water management.

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