A 700-year-old skull from Henan, China, may be the first archaeological evidence of punitive nose amputation, researchers say. Healed nasal injuries indicate the woman survived; the study’s likeliest explanation is punishment, though disease or a birth defect cannot be excluded.
Radiocarbon testing dates her to 1298–1404, placing her in the Yuan or early Ming dynasty. Her remains were among about 300 burials found in 2019 at Sanzhiyuan cemetery in Henan. She was buried face-down at its southern edge with only a copper hairpin; co-author Qian Wang said this may suggest social exclusion.
Nasal amputation was one of China’s so-called Five Punishments, alongside tattooing, foot amputation, castration and death; written references to the practice date to Shang dynasty oracle-bone inscriptions. Bioarchaeologist Elizabeth Berger, who was not involved in the study, said it makes a persuasive case for punitive amputation.
