At Sanxingdui, archaeologists have spent decades reconstructing the fragmented “Divine Tree” and its bronze dragon components. Using 3D scanning and digital modeling, newly discovered fragments can now be precisely fitted back into place. This ongoing restoration shows how ancient ritual objects are being reassembled piece by piece.
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TRANSCRIPT
-Here we have an artifact discovered in pit K8.
We believe it's part of the dragon's tail.
It's notable for its double twist.
And the lower part of the dragon is missing from our Divine Tree.
We wonder if this piece might fit the tree.
♪ -The tree was originally found in more than 200 fragments in two pits.
But a digital reconstruction of it enables the new piece, once scanned in three dimensions, to be placed.
The tree's restoration, which has lasted nearly 40 years, isn't finished yet, even if at first glance the sculpture may seem complete.
Yu seeks the opinion of Mr.
Guo, who has worked on the puzzle since the very beginning.
-[ Speaking Chinese ] -In that case, we can proceed to look at the fitting situation with the Divine Tree.
-Here, the dragon's tail is placed on the tree.
It has virtually found its place again, fitted at the highest connecting point on the Divine Tree.
That part is easy.
But now, new missing pieces of the puzzle appear.
-[ Conversing in Chinese ] -This spot needs to be fixed here.
And here.
That's the tail.
See?
-It feels like something's missing here, right?
Here, and maybe here, too.
-Small fragments that haven't found their place yet might help finish the puzzle.
-[ Speaking Chinese ] -Yeah, exactly.
Now rotate it a bit more up.
If we align this, it fits.
There's a nice flow in the line.
Move it closer.
Bring it in a bit more.
Try fitting this section here.
Yes, exactly.
See how it together forms a really flowing line?
-But quickly, the restoration expert realizes something's off.
-[ Conversing in Chinese ] -Maybe this piece should go here.
Or maybe it fits directly there.
Yeah.
Here.
-The break seems to fit perfectly.
If that's really the case, the dragon would have a much more balanced shape.
-Yes, exactly.
This bit here, it could still be adjusted.
Maybe rotated?
Yeah.
If we put this segment here.
-[ Speaking Chinese ] -The first time we restored it, we didn't worry about these small details.
We just assembled the big pieces.
-If we could make the lines flow as we turn it, everything will look more lifelike and harmonize perfectly.
-Thanks to 3D technology, the dragon on the Divine Tree has regained its tail.