A fabulous book! I'd give it 10 stars!
For the record, I am educated, very interested in archaeology, but not a professional archaeologist. I found this book to be clearly written and informative, but not overwhelming with abstruse detail.
Content-wise, these bronze heads and masks are weird and wonderful, alien, unlike typical Chinese bronze finds--unlike anything else in the world really. Somewhat reminiscent of Aztec or Olmec heads. The composite bird-human figures are intriguing, the google-eyed-trunk-antenna human(?) masks totally awesome.
I would have liked more definite identification of "core-materials," types of stone, and black paint (on eyebrows and eyes of masks and heads) more maps to show where the gold, lead and casting materials came from. It would be really interesting to see a map showing possible related art styles/influences to the Sanxingdui site (text p. 32).
The photography is brilliant, and the adjacent, clearly drawn illustrations of different views and details of the objects are terrific. The layout of the text and illustrations: with notes in the second column, diagrams, and photos all together on the same spread makes it easy to get all the information. (No flipping back and forth to the back of a book for details and asides.)
I would love to see a publication relating what was happining in adjacent contemporary culures to the Sanxingdui bronze head culture. For instance, did any army have headgear similar to the bronze head on p. 95? Is there nothing left of the material that was slotted through the back of this and other heads (dna analysis?)?
All in all a great book.
