三星堆遗址祭祀区五号坑出土金面具

The Gold mask Unearthed from No.5 Pit in the Sacrificial Area of Sanxingdui Site

三星堆遗址祭祀区五号坑出土1件金面具(K5∶3),出土时变形严重。通过对其基体材质、埋藏环境、病害情况的分析,针对性地制定了保护、修复方案并完成修复工作。修复后的金面具,残宽27.8、残高25.47厘米,净重280克。其材质为金银合金,金含量在84.47%~85.33%之间,银含量为13.8%~14.25%。推测成形工艺是先加热金料,打成薄片状材料,经剪裁、脱錾,再以搂、墩等手法塑形。进行光洁处理后,用锤揲、錾刻等手法表现轮廓特征,完成制作。金面具应非单独使用,可能覆于铜头像或其他材质面具之上。五号坑出土的金面具是三星堆遗址迄今发现尺寸最大、形体最为厚重的金面具,为三星堆文化的研究提供了重要的新材料,其修复工作也为中国古代金器的复原、矫形提供了重要经验。

Since 2019, archaeological excavations have been conducted near the famous sacrificial pits K1 and K2 of Sanxingdui site. Other six pits were discovered and numbered K3to K8 sequentially. Among them, K5 is the smallest. Nevertheless, it has yielded large numbers of gold artifacts in rich varieties. The gold mask(numbered K5:3) from K5 stands out among all the objects due to its relatively large size. When discovered, it was severely deformed. Important experiences have accumulated during its restoration. This article presents an introduction of the discovery and restoration of the gold mask as well as the scientific analysis results such as its elemental composition.The gold mask is in the first batch of gold artifacts that were exposed in K5. Debris such as round gold foils and ivory fragments were distributed under and around the gold mask. However,associations between these objects and the mask remain unclear. With a thin body and soft texture,the mask was seriously deformed when discovered. Targeted restoration plan was carried out based on the analysis of its material, environmental conditions and damages. The mask after restoration weighs 280g, with a remnant height of 25.47cm and remnant width of 27.8cm. It was fabricated with a gold-silver alloy containing 84.47% to 85.33% of Au and 13.8% to 14.25% of Ag. Regarding the fabrication process, it was supposed to be heated and hammered into a thin piece of gold and gradually take shape through cutting, engraving and percussion. After polishing, the outline is highlighted. The mask was probably fixed on a head statue or a mask of other material. It is by far the largest and heaviest gold mask ever found in Sanxingdui site, providing new material for the study of Sanxingdui Culture. Its restoration presents vital experience for the repair of ancient gold artifacts in China.