The Nose Knows: Uncovering Ancient China's Harsh Penalties The discovery of a female skeleton in Sanmexia, Henan Province, has shed light on a gruesome aspect of ancient Chinese punishment – nasal amputation.
This finding confirms historical records and raises questions about the nature of medical care during this period. Historical accounts of the Five Punishments have long been a topic of interest among researchers.
These penalties included nasal amputation, permanent tattoos, cutting off the backside of each foot, emasculation, and the death sentence.