Men's Legs Were Severed as Punishment in China 2,500 Years Ago

In a remarkable and gruesome discovery, researchers have unearthed two 2,500-year-old skeletons in China with their legs amputated—a stark testament to the brutal punishment methods of ancient times. 

This finding offers a rare glimpse into the harsh penal practices during the Eastern Zhou dynasty and highlights the severe consequences that elite individuals could face for their alleged crimes.

Unearthing the Past

The skeletons, found in an ancient graveyard in Henan province, belonged to two men who lived around 550 B.C., during the Warring States Period of the Eastern Zhou dynasty (770 to 256 B.C.). 

Both skeletons were unearthed inside two-layered coffins, accompanied by artifacts such as copper belt hooks, stone tablets, and pottery, indicating their high social status. 

These coffins were oriented in a north-south direction, a burial practice often reserved for individuals of significant social standing.

Analyzing the Evidence

Researchers employed various techniques, including computed tomography (CT) scans and radiocarbon dating, to analyze the skeletons. 

They determined that one man, missing part of his left leg, was between 40 to 44 years old at the time of his death, while the other, missing part of his right leg, was between 45 to 55 years old. 

The bones revealed signs of healing, with the tibias and fibulas fused together to form bony bumps, and lacked the cut marks typically associated with clumsy or repeated blows.

These findings suggest that the amputations were deliberate and performed with a certain degree of skill, followed by proper wound care. 

This level of medical intervention and the subsequent recovery period point to an established protocol involving knowledgeable practitioners.

The Cruel Punishment of Yue

Based on the context and historical records, the researchers propose that these men were subjected to "yue," a form of punitive amputation practiced in ancient China. 

This punishment method was part of the Zhou penal code, which prescribed amputations for a variety of felonies, including deceiving the monarch, fleeing from duties, and theft. 

In some cases, amputation served as a reduced punishment in lieu of the death penalty to reflect leniency.

The penal system specified different severities for amputation: the right leg was removed for more serious crimes compared to the left leg. 

This distinction aligns with the findings, as one man had his right leg amputated while the other lost his left leg. 

Such detailed punitive measures reflect the complexity and cruelty of the Zhou dynasty's legal system.

A Glimpse into Elite Lives

The social status of these individuals was corroborated by several factors. The luxurious artifacts found in their graves, the multi-layered coffins, and their protein-rich diets all point to their elite standing. 

The writings of the philosopher Zhuangzi further support this, indicating that multiple coffin layers were reserved for higher officers, nobility, and royalty—individuals typically exempt from the harshest penalties of the Zhou penal system. 

This suggests that the two men were likely low-ranking officers who fell out of favor or committed serious offenses.

A Reflection of Ancient Justice

This discovery not only sheds light on the severe punitive practices of ancient China but also underscores the advanced medical knowledge and care that existed during that period. 

The clean amputations and subsequent healing indicate that skilled professionals were involved in the process, reflecting a well-established amputation protocol.

"Such discoveries, along with some previous findings, reflect the cruelty of the penal system in early China," noted Qian Wang, a professor of biomedical sciences at Texas A&M University School of Dentistry and senior author of the study. 

This sentiment is echoed by Kate Pechenkina, professor and chair of the Department of Anthropology at Queens College, City University of New York, who remarked on the clear evidence of healing and recovery, suggesting that these men were not poor and had access to considerable care.

The uncovering of these amputated skeletons from 2,500 years ago provides a chilling reminder of the harsh realities of ancient judicial systems. 

It also highlights the complex interplay between social status, medical practice, and legal punishment in ancient China. 

As researchers continue to delve into these historical remnants, we gain a deeper understanding of the brutal yet sophisticated world of the Eastern Zhou dynasty.