Ancient gold mask uncovered in China sparks online memes | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Food
    • Habitat
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • TBS Graduates
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Tech
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
November 30, 2023

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Food
    • Habitat
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • TBS Graduates
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Tech
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023
Ancient gold mask uncovered in China sparks online memes

South Asia

TBS Report
23 March, 2021, 02:10 pm
Last modified: 23 March, 2021, 03:01 pm

Related News

  • Walmart shifts to India from China for cheaper imports
  • Walmart shifts to India from China for cheaper imports
  • Debt-laden China's local governments scramble to rescue small banks with $21 bln in special bonds
  • India to add $5 billion aircraft carrier to fleet to counter China
  • Why is billionaire Jack Ma focusing on food business in China through a new startup ?

Ancient gold mask uncovered in China sparks online memes

The artefact is estimated to be made from 84% gold and weighed about 280 grams

TBS Report
23 March, 2021, 02:10 pm
Last modified: 23 March, 2021, 03:01 pm
Chinese archaeologists announced new findings from the 3,000-year-old #Sanxingdui Ruins on Saturday, unearthing more than 500 items, including a golden mask, from 6 sacrificial pits. Photo: Collected via @YouthChina
Chinese archaeologists announced new findings from the 3,000-year-old #Sanxingdui Ruins on Saturday, unearthing more than 500 items, including a golden mask, from 6 sacrificial pits. Photo: Collected via @YouthChina

A 3,000-year-old ceremonial gold mask, found at an archaeological site in China's Sichuan province, has become an overnight social media sensation in the country.

The artefact, weighed about 280 grams, is estimated to be made from 84% gold.

According to experts, the discovery of one of the 500 Bronze-Age relics could provide new insights on the ancient Shu state, which ruled the area before 316 BC.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

But the mysterious half-faced mask has also spawned a popular meme and tribute videos on social media, BBC reported.

Stunning new discoveries at Sanxingdui again after 30 years! This time six sacrificial pits and more than 500 pieces of artifacts were excavated. Amazing gold mask, bronze spirit trees and vessels unearthed. pic.twitter.com/Hn8W8RAQHh— Joy Yi (@joyatyungang) March 20, 2021

As soon as the latest batch of discoveries was announced on Saturday, users of microblogging platform Weibo started making pictures superimposing the mask on the faces of pop culture figures.

The hashtag "Sanxingdui gold mask photo editing competition" has been viewed nearly 4 million times, and has spawned numerous posts as netizens praised the "stunning" and "beautiful" mask.

Do you want a golden mask too? #Sanxingdui #goldenmask #ChineseCulture #China #ChinaStory pic.twitter.com/mJpg01ZT5p— Youth China (@YouthChina) March 22, 2021

Officials at the museum for Sanxingdui - one of the most important archaeological sites in China - soon joined in on the fun.

"Good morning, we've just woken up, apparently everyone's been busy doing some Photoshopping?" the museum said in a recent Weibo post while sharing its own take on the meme.

The museum also released a promotional animated music video starring the mask and other artefacts, while a rap song created by a TV host praising the "intelligence" of the ancient civilisation has gone viral.

#SanxingduiDiscovery pic.twitter.com/VcjPnP6S9e— Sanxingdui Culture (@SanxingduiC) March 20, 2021

It is not the first time a Chinese artefact has attracted the attention of social media users - in August, another relic was found to resemble the pig characters in popular video game Angry Birds.

In addition to the gold mask, archaeologists at Sanxingdui have found bronze pieces, gold foils as well as artefacts made from ivory, jade and silk.

Archaeologists uncover 3,000-year-old gold mask in southwest China pic.twitter.com/gxWSXjmRCs— Cheetah?S.?S. (@CheetaHurricane) March 22, 2021

The items were uncovered in six "sacrificial pits", said the National Cultural Heritage Administration, which the Shu civilisation used to offer sacrifices in prayers for prosperity and peace.

The Sanxingdui ruins were discovered by accident by a farmer in 1929. To date, more than 50,000 relics have been unearthed at the site, which is around 60km (37 miles) from the city of Chengdu.

Top News / World+Biz

Gold mask / Ancient mask / China

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • NBR's revenue shortfall widens further, hitting Tk4,000cr in Oct
    NBR's revenue shortfall widens further, hitting Tk4,000cr in Oct
  • Go for reforms as Five-Year Plan goes off track: Report
    Go for reforms as Five-Year Plan goes off track: Report
  • Henry Kissinger. Photo: UNB
    Henry Kissinger, controversial US diplomat, dies at 100

MOST VIEWED

  • Despite some positives like, changes in wordings the major things workers demand have not been reflected in the amendments. Photo: TBS
    Bangladesh could be target of US labour policy, warns Washington mission
  • TBS file photo
    Over 50 lakh Bangladeshis living abroad: Census
  • Taka appreciated officially, market reacts quite opposite
    Taka appreciated officially, market reacts quite opposite
  • Only approved appraisers to assess loan collateral: Cenbank 
    Only approved appraisers to assess loan collateral: Cenbank 
  • Mominul Islam. File Photo: Courtesy
    IPDC CEO Mominul to step down after 4 terms
  • File Photo: Reuters
    Reserves now at $19.52 billion: Bangladesh Bank

Related News

  • Walmart shifts to India from China for cheaper imports
  • Walmart shifts to India from China for cheaper imports
  • Debt-laden China's local governments scramble to rescue small banks with $21 bln in special bonds
  • India to add $5 billion aircraft carrier to fleet to counter China
  • Why is billionaire Jack Ma focusing on food business in China through a new startup ?

Features

Illustartion:TBS

Low tax-GDP ratio: Reluctant taxpayers, faulty structure

1h | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

I am afraid even to post a thank you note on Facebook: Khadija

1h | Panorama
Sketch: TBS

Towards a brighter tomorrow: India's G20 presidency and the dawn of a new multilateralism

1h | Panorama
Mugger crocodiles are among the most docile crocodile species. Considered extinct, one was ‘rescued’ near Pabna in 2018, after 50 years. But rescued from what? PHOTO: MUNTASIR AKASH

'Successfully rescued' or 'forcefully removed'?

1h | Earth

More Videos from TBS

Why is Google deleting inactive accounts?

Why is Google deleting inactive accounts?

11h | Tech Talk
Ukraine is trying to increase exports amid fears

Ukraine is trying to increase exports amid fears

14h | TBS World
Cats and dogs in the whole house of one bigha of land in Narayanganj!

Cats and dogs in the whole house of one bigha of land in Narayanganj!

13h | TBS Stories
Referees being helped by British Airways pilots to improve VAR chaos

Referees being helped by British Airways pilots to improve VAR chaos

12h | TBS SPORTS
EMAIL US
[email protected]
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2023
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - [email protected]

For advertisement- [email protected]