Archaeologists Identify First Physical Evidence of Punitive Nose Amputation in 14th-Century China
A 14th-century female skeleton from Henan, China, provides the first archaeological evidence of punitive nasal amputation. The woman, who lived between 1298 and 1404, survived the procedure for several years, as indicated by healed bone fractures. Her face-down burial suggests social ostracism, likely resulting from crimes such as theft or adultery under the historical 'Five Punishments' system.