Foreign media have been allowed to observe an archaeological site in China believed to date back more than 3,000 years.

The Sanxingdui Ruins are located in Deyang City in the inland province of Sichuan.

Reporters were granted access on Thursday.

Researchers began full-fledged excavations at the site in the 1980s. Artifacts discovered include human statues and tree-shaped objects.

A new round of excavations began in September 2020.

Archaeologists say they have since discovered about 13,000 items including statues of human heads and bird-shaped objects.

They also say there are bronze masks that are unlike others discovered elsewhere in China.

The current round of excavations is expected to finish around October. Officials plan to show the items to the public at a facility nearby.