Silicone rubber aids the archaeological excavation at Sanxingdui.
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2021-07-02
The National Cultural Heritage Administration has released updates on the major “Archaeology China” project. At the Sanxingdui site in Guanghan, Sichuan, the six newly discovered sacrificial pits have yielded over 500 significant artifacts, including fragments of gold masks, a massive bronze mask, a bronze sacred tree, and ivory. During this round of excavations at Sanxingdui, 3D printing combined with silicone‑gel molds was employed for the first time in artifact recovery, marking a major innovation in the field of archaeology.
In the latest phase of archaeological excavations at Sanxingdui, cutting-edge 3D printing technology was employed: a 3D scanner captured detailed data on the artifacts and their surrounding context, which were then used to produce an exact replica in plaster via a 3D printer. This plaster model served as the basis for crafting a tightly fitting, highly protective silicone sleeve; once applied to the artifact, the piece was carefully extracted using a containment box.
A 3D-printed protective case offers superior protection compared to film or soft cloth, as its adhesive properties provide optimal safeguarding for the large bronze zun.
According to experts, this marks the first time in China’s archaeological community that 3D printing technology has been used to extract cultural relics, representing an innovative approach. Because the Sanxingdui artifacts have been buried underground for more than 3,000 years, they are quite fragile and could easily be damaged with even the slightest carelessness. The particular vessel being extracted, together with the fill material inside, weighs approximately 1,000 jin, necessitating extreme caution during the retrieval process.
In the past, cultural relics were extracted by wrapping them in plastic film and soft cloth. In contrast, silicone film conforms more closely to the relic’s surface, and its inherent tackiness ensures a stronger adhesion, thereby providing superior protection.

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