Miniature art found by researcher David Xavier Kenney on a one-of-a-kind jade and iron Ritual Dao (Chopping) Sword from the Warring States period may give the first real clues about the origin of the mysterious Sanxingdui, who existed from the 12th to the 11th c. B.C., then disappeared leaving no written records.

The sword's blade is likely made of meteorite iron and features a miniature knife (representing a legendary fishing knife) designed to cut the holder's index finger, making it a blood sword. It also appears to be designed to rock side-to-side for 45 seconds exactly when balanced on its pommel and gently tapped, suggesting it was a moving sword used as part of a shaman's ritual.

The blade is shaped like a flying bird which resembles both a modern airplane and a boat. Kenney believes this represents the Kun Peng, a creature in Chinese mythology which begins as a giant fish in the north, then turns into a giant bird which flies to the south -- a type of phoenix. The miniature art on the sword depicts among other things, a Sanxingdui Knight, a central themed Raven Shaman, and an Orca and a wolf.

All these creatures are sacred to certain northern tribal peoples of the Asian Pacific North East. Kenney therefore proposes that this is where the Sanxingdui may have originated from, and that the mythology of the Kun Peng may be a story of their travels and their ending up in China.

Evidence of the Sanxingdui was discovered by archeologists in the 1920's. They created among other objects, fabulous heads made of bronze and gold gilding, some of which are massive. Many resemble aliens, featuring protruding eyes and large ears; the style is unlike any traditional ancient Chinese art form.