An exhibition titled "Light of the Sun -- Ancient Shu Civilization and the World" has opened at the United Nations headquarters in New York, presenting a unique international platform for the ancient Shu civilization, which thrived over three millennia ago.

Inaugurated on June 9, 2025, this event marks the first presentation of the Shu civilization at the UN and coincides with the observance of the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, celebrated annually on June 10.

The exhibition draws on notable artifacts from the acclaimed Sanxingdui and Jinsha archaeological sites located in southwest China, which are estimated to date back approximately 3,600 to 2,800 years.

Through its display, the exhibition aims to foster a dialogue between past civilizations and contemporary society, featuring informational panels, replicas of significant cultural relics, art installations, and interactive multimedia.

Divided into two primary thematic sections, the first part, titled "Radiance of Civilizations," highlights sun-worship traditions from various ancient cultures including Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, and Greece.

The second section, "Shining Shu," focuses specifically on the spiritual expressions characteristic of the Shu civilization.

This segment showcases high-fidelity replicas of significant artifacts such as the Golden Sun Bird, bronze sacred trees, gold masks, and gold-crowned human figures, which illustrate the rich spiritual beliefs and rituals of the Shu people.

One of the exhibition's highlight pieces, the Golden Sun Bird, is a gold disc featuring intricate openwork design and a spiraling solar motif.

This artifact is recognized as an emblematic representation of ancient Chinese cosmological beliefs.

Other notable items include a gold mask used by the Shu civilization and bronze ritual trees, further emphasizing the culture’s complex ceremonial practices.

To enhance visitor engagement, the exhibition utilizes advanced digital technologies, such as naked-eye 3D projections and virtual reality simulations.

One prominent feature, titled "Return to Ancient Shu," offers guests the opportunity to visually explore the archaeological excavation process and significant findings through immersive storytelling.

Visitors can wear VR headsets to experience the Jinsha dig site and witness the moment artifacts were unearthed.

Wang Fang, deputy director of the Jinsha Site Museum, emphasized the exhibition's vision of presenting ancient Shu culture alongside other eminent civilizations to highlight shared spiritual characteristics among diverse cultures.

Since 2003, themed exhibitions dedicated to the ancient Shu civilization have been presented in over 20 cities globally, introducing audiences to the depth and uniqueness of early Chinese culture.

This exhibition is set to remain open at the United Nations headquarters until June 20, enriching the cultural dialogue and enhancing appreciation for the heritage of the Shu civilization.