Explanation: The source identifies the primary territory of the ancient kingdom of Shu as being located in Sichuan Province, not the Yellow River basin.

Explanation: Prior to its conquest by Qin, the Sichuan Basin was characterized by its relative geographical isolation, surrounded by mountainous terrain, which contributed to its distinct development.

Explanation: Information concerning Shu before the 4th century BCE is scarce in early Chinese historical records, often consisting of mythological accounts and legends.

Explanation: While Shang dynasty oracle bone inscriptions may contain references to 'Shu,' it is not definitively established that these refer to the kingdom located in Sichuan.

Explanation: The Shujing, or Book of Documents, provides one of the earliest explicit mentions of Shu, identifying it as an ally that assisted King Wu of Zhou in the Battle of Muye.

Explanation: The Yizhoushu mentions an expedition led by a subordinate of King Wu against Shu shortly after the Shang conquest, suggesting the relationship was not consistently friendly.

Explanation: The political upheaval in the Zhou heartland in 771 BCE likely contributed to Shu's greater isolation from the northern Chinese states.

Explanation: Discoveries at archaeological sites such as Sanxingdui and Jinsha offer substantial evidence of a distinct and significant civilization flourishing in the Sichuan region prior to its incorporation into the Qin state.

Explanation: The Sanxingdui discovery in 1987 uncovered a major Bronze Age symbolic culture, previously unknown, which demonstrated a significant degree of isolation from the contemporaneous Yellow River basin civilization.

Explanation: Archaeological evidence suggests that the Sanxingdui site was the center of a kingdom between approximately 2050 BCE and 1250 BCE, not between 1000 BCE and 500 BCE.

Explanation: Artifacts from Sanxingdui were characterized by a style distinct from those of the Yellow River basin, indicating a unique cultural trajectory rather than strong integration.

Explanation: Many scholars and archaeologists propose that the culture unearthed at Sanxingdui corresponds to the civilization of the ancient Shu kingdom.

Explanation: The Golden Sun Bird is a circular gold ornament, interpreted as a totem of the ancient Shu people, rather than a bronze sculpture of a ruler.

Explanation: A notable bronze figure, believed to represent a high priest, was crafted by the inhabitants of Shu during the thirteenth or twelfth century BCE, showcasing their advanced metallurgical skills.

Explanation: Written accounts of Shu's early history, particularly its legendary aspects, are often found in Han dynasty compilations like the Chronicle of the Kings of Shu.

Explanation: Cancong is described as having protruding eyes. The legend of teaching agriculture is attributed to Duyu.

Explanation: According to legend, Bieling, a figure from Chu, founded the Kaiming dynasty after a miraculous revival and successful management of a flood, succeeding Duyu.

Explanation: The bronze head with protruding eyes, a distinctive feature, is associated with the semi-legendary king Cancong, not Duyu.

Explanation: The State of Chu bordered Shu to the east, along the Han and Yangtze rivers, while the State of Qin lay to the north, beyond the Qinling Mountains.

Explanation: The Ba–Shu culture is understood to have emerged from the interaction between the Ba peoples and the Shu kingdom, rather than directly from the Shu kingdom and the State of Chu.

Explanation: Archaeological consensus places the primary period of interaction between the Ba and Shu peoples, which fostered the Ba-Shu culture, within the 5th and 4th centuries BCE in the Sichuan region.

Explanation: The Stone Cattle Road was built to establish a connection and facilitate communication and transport between the states of Qin and Shu.

Explanation: Qin's approach to Ba was less extensive than to Shu, seemingly to avoid provoking the warlike Ba people situated near the border with Chu.

Explanation: The historical records indicate that the independent Shu state was conquered by the State of Qin in 316 BCE, marking the end of its independent existence.

Explanation: The earliest recorded contact between Shu and Qin was in 474 BCE through emissaries. Military clashes, such as the one in 387 BCE, occurred later.

Explanation: Shang Yang's reforms, implemented between 356 and 338 BCE, centralized Qin's administration and military, thereby strengthening the state for future expansion.

Explanation: The Marquis of Zu's flight to Qin after a conflict within Shu provided the state of Qin with a justification for its subsequent military intervention and conquest.

Explanation: Zhang Yi's strategic proposal to King Huiwen of Qin was to focus on eastward expansion and consider Shu a secondary concern, contrary to annexing it first.

Explanation: King Huiwen of Qin accepted Sima Cuo's proposal to annex Shu before undertaking further eastward expansion.

Explanation: The decisive engagements between Qin forces and the Kaiming king's army occurred near Jaimeng in Ba territory, along the Jialing River, not in the Yellow River basin.

Explanation: The term 'Shu' has been used historically to refer to the Sichuan region and subsequent states founded therein, not exclusively to the ancient kingdom conquered in 316 BCE.

Explanation: The ancient kingdom of Shu predates the Three Kingdoms period. The entity discussed in this context is chronologically separate from the later state of Shu Han.

Explanation: While some contact existed in the late Shang and early Zhou periods, archaeological evidence suggests minimal influence from later Zhou dynasties on Shu, indicating its cultural distinctiveness.

Explanation: After conquering Shu, Qin's subsequent actions involved annexing Ba and later campaigns against Chu, but the immediate focus was not solely on Chu.

Explanation: The son of the last Kaiming king was appointed Marquis Yatong of Shu, a position subordinate to a Qin governor, rather than being appointed governor himself.

Explanation: Qin faced considerable challenges in administering Shu, necessitating measures such as constructing walls, redistributing land, and encouraging settlement.

Explanation: The construction of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System commenced under the Qin dynasty following their conquest of Shu, not by the Shu kingdom prior to it.

Explanation: During Qin's consolidation of Shu and Ba, Chu focused on annexing Yue. Subsequently, a Chu general, Zhuang Qiao, established a presence westward, becoming geographically isolated.

Explanation: General Bai Qi's campaigns, including the capture of the Chu capital, established a new Qin frontier to the east of Sichuan.

Explanation: Archaeological findings from the Qin and Han eras suggest that Shu was successfully integrated into the empire, exhibiting cultural similarities with northern China, whereas the Ba region maintained greater cultural distinctiveness.

Explanation: Sichuan played a significant role as an important supply base for Liu Bang during his campaign to found the Han dynasty.

Explanation: Emperor Wu of Han cancelled expansionist campaigns into the hill country west of Sichuan because they were deemed too expensive and less beneficial than anticipated, leading to a redirection of resources.

Explanation: Expansion into the hill country south and west of Sichuan proceeded slowly, constrained by geographical challenges, unlike expansion across flatter agricultural lands.

Explanation: The ancient kingdom of Shu is represented in Chinese astronomy by the star Alpha Serpentis within the asterism Right Wall, not by Polaris.