Silk traces found on 101 ancient artefacts at China's Sanxingdui

Researchers studying 3,000-year-old relics from Sanxingdui in China's Sichuan province found silk remains on 101 objects, including bronze masks and gold, jade and ivory items. The study in the journal Antiquity suggests the ancient Shu people wrapped valuables in silk during religious ceremonies. Microscopic and chemical tests also showed red colouring on some fabric, dating to the Late Shang period.