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Historical discovery revives wild theories of an alien civilisation in ancient China, but experts say no way

  • The artefact’s wide facial features have caused outlandish speculation, but experts refute the theory that aliens were the original owners
  • Archaeologists have said the suggestion of extraterrestrials is very far-fetched and not supported by any available evidence

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The discovery of unusual artefacts in China has prompted speculation about aliens, but experts have said this is not the case.

A major discovery of a gold mask alongside a treasure trove of artefacts at a Bronze Age site in China has generated online debate about whether there were once aliens in China thousands of years ago.

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The gold mask, possibly worn by a priest, along with more than 500 artefacts in Sanxingdui, a Bronze Age site in central Sichuan province, have become the talk of China since the news broke on Saturday

The mask is similar to previous discoveries of bronze human statues, however, the inhuman and foreign features of the finds have triggered speculation they may belong to a race of aliens.

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Archaeologists find treasures from mystery civilisation that could rewrite Chinese history

Archaeologists find treasures from mystery civilisation that could rewrite Chinese history

In responses collected by state broadcaster CCTV, some speculated that the earlier bronze face masks had more in common with characters from the film Avatar than with Chinese people. 

“Does that mean Sanxindui belongs to an alien civilisation?” queried one.

An archaeologist holds a newly excavated gold mask from the Sanxingdui site.
An archaeologist holds a newly excavated gold mask from the Sanxingdui site.

However, some just asked if perhaps the finds came from another civilisation, such as one in the Middle East.

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The Director of the Institute of Archaeology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Wang Wei, was quick to shut down the alien theories. 

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