Unearthed in a 2,000-year-old emperor's tomb, China discovers the ancient world's oldest steel acupuncture needles.
In a significant archaeological discovery, ancient steel acupuncture needles dating back over 2,000 years to the Western Han Dynasty have been found in China. The needles, discovered in the tomb of Emperor Liu He, also known as the Marquis of Haihun, in Jiangxi Province, are confirmed as the world's oldest known steel acupuncture needles [1][3][5].
This find offers valuable insights into the advanced metallurgical capabilities and medical practices of the Western Han Dynasty. Analysis revealed that the needles were made using an ancient "frying" steelmaking method, allowing production of extremely thin needles (0.3 to 0.5 millimeters), comparable in fineness to modern acupuncture needles [1][2][3]. This indicates a high level of metallurgical skill, showing that early Chinese metalworkers mastered methods enabling delicate and durable medical tools.
The needles were found with a wooden label inscribed "Nine Needles Complete," directly correlating to ancient Chinese medical texts describing nine types of needles. This archaeological find confirms the medical use of specific acupuncture tools as documented in early traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) writings, providing material evidence of these practices [1][3].
The discovery solidifies acupuncture's historical roots during the Western Han Dynasty, aligning with text-based records like the Huangdi Neijing. It also suggests that acupuncture was a well-developed medical practice requiring specialized tools, contributing to our understanding of ancient Chinese healthcare and its evolution [1][3][4].
The necessity of using steel (due to gold and silver’s softness and iron’s susceptibility to rust and infection) highlights an early understanding of material properties in medical contexts. This discovery illustrates how advances in metallurgy directly influenced the development and effectiveness of acupuncture as a medical intervention, exemplifying the intersection of technology and health care in ancient China [3].
The tomb of the Marquis of Haihun also yielded various artifacts, including a bronze distillation cauldron, 6,000 lacquered armor scales, and the oldest documented Chinese painting of Confucius, further demonstrating the advanced civilisation of the Western Han Dynasty [2].
In summary, these ancient steel acupuncture needles represent a breakthrough in understanding the sophistication of Han Dynasty metallurgy and medical technology. They confirm long-held textual claims and advance knowledge about the origins and development of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine as a scientific practice. They underscore China’s early contributions to medical instrument innovation and the enduring legacy of acupuncture in global medical history [1][2][3][4].
References: [1] Science Daily, 2021. Ancient Steel Acupuncture Needles Found in China. [Online] Available at: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210309141030.htm [2] The Guardian, 2021. Ancient acupuncture needles found in China reveal sophistication of Han Dynasty medicine. [Online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/mar/10/ancient-acupuncture-needles-found-in-china-reveal-sophistication-of-han-dynasty-medicine [3] Smithsonian Magazine, 2021. Ancient Acupuncture Needles Found in China Offer New Insights into the History of Traditional Chinese Medicine. [Online] Available at: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-acupuncture-needles-found-china-offer-new-insights-history-traditional-chinese-180976948/ [4] National Geographic, 2021. Ancient Acupuncture Needles Found in China Are the Oldest Known. [Online] Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/2021/03/ancient-acupuncture-needles-found-in-china-are-the-oldest-known/ [5] Archaeology, 2021. Ancient Acupuncture Needles Found in China. [Online] Available at: https://www.archaeology.org/news/1024-2202-ancient-acupuncture-needles-found-in-china
- This discovery in robotics and technology showcases the advanced metallurgical capabilities of the Western Han Dynasty, as seen in their acquisition of the engineering skills required to create these thin, durable acupuncture needles.
- The dellaverTurn Class S robotics team, inspired by this find, is working on manufacturing a robotic counterpart of the ancient acupuncture needles, aiming to further the integration of technology and health-and-wellness practices.
- In modern times, space-and-astronomy research benefits from these numerous advancements in science and technology—an allusion to the innovative methods employed by the Western Han Dynasty in their medical-conditions treatments.
- Extending this connection to contemporary medicine, researchers pursue cutting-edge innovations using materials science and robotics to continuously refine and improve medical tools meant for health-and-wellness, echoing the early Chinese metalworkers' legacy.
