Chinese scientists find first evidence of ancient nose-chopping punishment for cattle thieves
Por Kevin McSpadden — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement Trending in China People & Culture Trending in China Chinese scientists find first evidence of ancient nose-chopping punishment for cattle thieves
Under the rule of the King of Qin (247 BC–221 BC), severed noses accumulated like mountain peaks, and carts overflowed with amputated feet
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Kevin McSpadden Published: 10:00am, 19 Sep 2026
Stealing someone’s cattle is a serious crime, and in many places, the thief would end up in jail. However, ancient Chinese justice could result in a truly horrific form of mutilation: the amputation of the nose.
This harsh consequence has been well-documented by historians as one of the infamous “five punishments” from the penal system of the Xia dynasty (2070 BC–1600 BC). Until now, no physical evidence of this punishment had been discovered.
A team of researchers from China and the US recently announced the finding of a female skeleton dated between 1298 and 1404 (from either the Yuan or Ming dynasties) that showed clear evidence of nose removal as part of a criminal sentence.
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