The remains of an incomplete gold mask was among the 3,000-year-old items found at Sanxingdui, an archaeological site in Guanghan, Sichuan Province.     1     (weigh) about 280 grams and estimated to be made of 84% gold,     2     mask was found at one of the newly discovered pits (深坑) at Sanxingdui.

A large number of ancient artifacts     3     (find) at Sanxingdui since the 1920s, when local farmer     4     (accidental) came upon a number of relics at the site. A major breakthrough occurred in 1986, with the     5     (discover) of two pits containing a variety of items. Six more     6     (be) then found in late 2019.

Items found at the site have helped scientists learn more about Sanxingdui and     7     (it) close connection to ancient Chinese culture. They are believed to be     8     the ancient Shu State, and crucial to our understanding of the unique civilization. Recent discoveries further confirm the theory     9     the pits were used for sacrificial (祭祀的) purposes, as many of the items found had been burned before being buried. Experts say that more research     10     (conduct) to rule out other explanations of the pits’ usage.