Searching for answers to the riddles of history

Live broadcasts of the excavations last year and this year have made "TV stars" out of archaeologists working on the site, while unearthed artifacts, such as a gold mask, add to the enigma.

The findings may help unravel the mysteries of the ancient Shu state, but they also raise questions. The ancient state lasted for more than a millennium until its fall during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) and yet the relevant historical recordings are insufficient.

A bronze divine tree with nine sacred birds, representing "the nine suns", makes Chen and Xu wonder whether it is linked to stories recorded in the Shanhaijing (Classics of Mountains and Seas), a milestone book on geography and mythical beasts that dated to the 4th century BC.

During their interaction with Lei Yu, the lead archaeologist at Sanxingdui from the Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute, the two explorers realize that some myths have concrete historical foundations even if they were largely exaggerated over time.

As to several legendary rulers of the ancient Shu state, who were said to live on, their seeming immortality was likely the embodiment of various dynasties that lasted for centuries.

"The same stories have been told many times. We wanted to explore a new approach. We wanted to decode myths in a way that felt fresh. The plan may not be perfect, but it was definitely worth a shot," producer Li says.

Chinese-style animations and computer-generated special effects are used in the show. Li says they help trigger the romantic imagination. "If we just speak about how prosperous the society was under the Tang Dynasty, people only get a general impression, but they don't literally feel the opulence that existed. This is where special effects come in."