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Discovery in the Tomb of the Marquess of Haihun Reveals Steel Needles Over 2,000 Years Old, Similar to Those Used in Modern Acupuncture.
China has just revealed a historic discovery that could change our understanding of ancient medicine. Archaeologists have found the oldest known steel acupuncture needles.
The find was made in Jiangxi Province, inside the tomb of Emperor Liu He of the Western Han Dynasty, who lived around two millennia ago.
Needles Were Hidden in a Jade Tube
The objects were hidden inside a broken jade tube, kept in a small golden lacquer box. In total, five heavily corroded needles were located.
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Only one could be completely removed. The others remain embedded, with remnants of deteriorated fabric still attached.
According to Yang Jun, head of the excavation team, researchers prioritized the preservation of the fragments due to their fragile state.
Even so, advanced tests managed to identify the material: steel, produced with a technique known as “tempering.”
Steel Technique Reveals Advanced Knowledge
This tempering process mixes molten iron and wrought iron, allowing for the manufacturing of thin and durable pieces.
The needles found range from 0.3 to 0.5 millimeters in diameter, virtually the same size as modern acupuncture needles.
The precision impressed specialists, who consider the skill of craftsmen at the time to be highly advanced.
The discovery reinforces the idea that, already in the Western Han Dynasty, there was very sophisticated technical and metallurgical knowledge.
Label Confirms Medicinal Use
The proof that these were indeed medical instruments came with a wooden label found alongside the needles. It bore the inscription: “Nine Completed Needles.”
For Wang Chuning, a doctoral researcher at Peking University, this inscription confirms the direct link to ancient medical texts.
These “Nine Needles” are mentioned in records such as the Huangdi Neijing, one of the founding texts of traditional Chinese medicine, written over 2,500 years ago.
More Effective Than Gold or Stone
The discovery also brings another important revelation. Until now, it was believed that ancient acupuncture instruments were made of stone or simpler metals.
However, according to specialists, steel offers more advantages. Unlike iron, which rusts, or gold and silver, which are too soft, steel allowed for the creation of thinner and more durable needles.
As a result, medical practice could evolve, with more effective needles and reduced risks for patients. The new evidence suggests that the Han Dynasty may have made a significant technical leap in the history of acupuncture.
The tomb of the Marquess of Haihun, discovered in 2011, continues to surprise archaeologists with valuable finds.
The new discovery of the needles reinforces the importance of the site as a source of knowledge about ancient China, its technology, and its medical practices.
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