Why did ancient concubines have their anus blocked during burial? Is this the wisdom of ancient people?
Introduction: It is well known that ancient imperial tombs were built luxuriously, but little is known about the hidden mysteries behind them. In the depths of those magnificent underground palaces, every concubine's body undergoes special treatment - their nine orifices are tightly sealed by mysterious objects. This seemingly absurd burial method implies the unique wisdom of ancient people towards life and death. Why do we have to handle it this way? What is the reason behind this? Why is the treatment of the anus the most important among the many blocked parts of the human body? What kind of unknown secrets are hidden behind this?
1、 The mystery of sealing the nine orifices is well known to the world. The tombs of ancient emperors were grand in scale, but little did they know that there was a little-known secret hidden deep in those towering underground palaces. In 1974, the Shaanxi archaeological team found a large-scale burial pit outside the the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. Archaeologists accidentally discovered a relatively well preserved female remains while cleaning up the site. After expert identification, this remains are believed to be a concubine of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's harem.
What amazed archaeologists was that the preservation status of this remains far exceeded their expectations. Through modern technology, experts have discovered that all nine orifices of this remains are tightly sealed with jade objects, with the most exquisite being a jade anal plug. This jade stopper is cylindrical in shape, with a smooth and delicate surface. One end is slightly thicker and the other is slightly thinner, and the production process is extremely exquisite.
This discovery immediately caused a sensation in the archaeological community. In 1976, archaeologists made a similar discovery in the No.1 Chu Tomb in Mashan, Jiangling, Hubei. The female remains unearthed from this tomb were also sealed with nine orifices. Differently, the state of Chu used a specially made bronze product, and a large amount of mercury residue was also found around the body.
Why did ancient people pay such attention to sealing the nine orifices of the deceased? It turns out that this is closely related to ancient anti-corrosion technology. According to the Book of Han, the imperial physician Chunyu Yi once said, "The nine orifices of a person are the gateway to qi The ancients believed that after death, the "essence" in the body would be lost through these "portals", leading to the decay of the physical body.
During the Qin and Han dynasties, imperial physicians discovered through repeated practice that combining mercury with the sealing of the nine orifices could achieve the best anti-corrosion effect. Mercury not only has bactericidal effects, but also prevents air from entering the body. The closure of the nine orifices can prevent mercury from infiltrating the body and damaging the body tissue.
In the mid Western Han Dynasty, this technology reached its peak. According to the "Miscellaneous Records of the Western Capital", the handling of the bodies of concubines in the tomb of Emperor Wu of Han was particularly meticulous. Craftsmen will first use special spices to treat the body, and then sequentially seal the nine orifices. The entire process must be completed within three days to ensure optimal results.
In the Tang Dynasty, this anti-corrosion technology became more sophisticated. The cultural relics unearthed from Tang Dynasty tombs show that the craftsmen at that time had already mastered the precise standard for mercury dosage. They will adjust the amount of mercury used and change the size of the jade stopper accordingly based on the size of the deceased's body. According to the "New Book of Tang", when Empress Changsun of Emperor Taizong of Tang passed away, it took a full three months to produce the jade artifacts needed to seal the nine orifices.
This unique anti-corrosion method continued until the Ming and Qing dynasties. In 1958, archaeologists discovered a detailed record of the preservation process in a burial tomb at the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. The file not only contains specific operational steps, but also emphasizes the importance of mercury dosage and sealing time.
2、 The special significance of anal occlusion is that ancient physicians had a deeper understanding of human anatomy than we imagine. In the silk books unearthed from the Mawangdui Han Tomb in Changsha in 1973, there were numerous detailed descriptions of human anatomy. Among them, the "Nine Orifices Way" is specifically mentioned, comparing the various orifices of the human body to the portals of a house, believing that these parts are the key channels for the entry and exit of human essence and qi.
Among the numerous orifices, the ancients placed the highest importance on the anus. This can be seen from the Warring States bamboo slips unearthed in Xinyang, Henan in 1972. Bamboo slips recorded in detail the research of imperial physicians on human anatomy at that time, specifically dividing the importance of various parts of the human body. The anus was listed as a "top-grade", alongside the mouth and nose.
This classification is not entirely unfounded. In 2008, a specific case was recorded in a medical book unearthed from the Han Tomb in Jinque Mountain, Linyi, Shandong. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, the imperial physician Zhang Zhongjing once handled a noble body and found that untreated bodies would first rot from the anal area. This discovery directly prompted imperial physicians to improve their anti-corrosion techniques and began to pay special attention to the sealing treatment of the anus.
The ancient people's emphasis on anal sealing is closely related to the Taoist theory of health preservation. In the bamboo slips unearthed from the Zhangjiashan Han Tomb in Jiangling, Hubei in 1984, the Taoist discourse on the "Three Dan Fields" of the human body was recorded. The anal position corresponds precisely to the lower dantian and is considered the most important storage place for human essence and qi. Therefore, when dealing with the body, the sealing materials and techniques for this area are particularly particular.
The Tang Dynasty was an important period for studying human anatomy. According to the New Book of Tang, the Imperial Medical Bureau established a department specifically for studying human anatomy. They dissected the bodies of death row inmates and drew detailed human body maps. These research results directly promote the advancement of funeral technology. During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty, imperial physicians discovered that the muscle tissue in the anal area was the most complex and required special sealing methods.
This discovery has been validated in practice. The remains of a Tang Dynasty nobleman unearthed in Fufeng, Shaanxi in 1982 were sealed with a "double structure" at the anal area. The outer layer is a delicate jade stopper, and the inner layer is a specially made plaster. The combination of the two can better prevent decay.
In the Song Dynasty, this technology became more sophisticated. According to the "Essentials of the Song Society", during royal funerals, different sizes of sealing devices are customized based on the body shape of the deceased before their death. Palace craftsmen will first use wax to make models, and then repeatedly adjust them before producing formal jade artifacts.
Archives from the Ming and Qing dynasties show that there was also a strict hierarchical system for sealing materials. The emperor and his concubines used superior Hotan Jade, the ministers' wives used sapphire or crystal, and ordinary nobles used agate or emerald. This distinction not only reflects the concept of hierarchy, but also reflects the influence of different materials on the anti-corrosion effect.
In the archaeological excavation of the Chu King's Mausoleum in Shizishan, Xuzhou, Jiangsu in 1998, experts discovered an interesting phenomenon. Among the multiple remains unearthed from the tomb, only the body in the main tomb chamber underwent the most complete sealing process, while other accompanying burials were relatively simple. This indicates that ancient people had already realized that the complexity of the sealing process directly affects the anti-corrosion effect.
3、 Selection criteria for ancient precious sealing materials
The selection of sealing materials in ancient imperial tombs was not arbitrary. The excavation of a Tang Dynasty noble tomb in the suburbs of Xi'an, Shaanxi in 1956 provided important clues for the study of ancient sealing materials. Archaeologists have discovered a detailed list of materials in the tomb, documenting the specifications and quality requirements for materials used in different sealing positions.
The most precious material is Hotan Jade. In 1978, the Hotan Jade Jade Mine in Xinjiang was discovered by archaeology. As early as the Han Dynasty, there was a special transportation channel for jade materials, called "Jade Road". This route spans thousands of miles and is specifically designed to transport high-quality jade materials for royal tombs. According to the "Geographical Records" in the Book of Han, there are specialized convoys shuttling between Hotan and Chang'an every spring and autumn to transport selected jade materials.
There are strict standards for selecting jade materials. A Tang Dynasty Ministry of Works document unearthed near the White Horse Temple in Luoyang in 1987 detailed the process of selecting jade materials. Craftsmen first need to check the transparency of the jade material, placing it under sunlight to observe its internal texture. Next is to test the hardness, using a specially made copper needle to carve on the surface of the jade material, the shallower the trace, the better. Finally, the thermal conductivity of the jade material needs to be tested by placing it in the palm of your hand to feel the speed of temperature changes.
In addition to Hotan Jade, lapis lazuli is also an important plugging material. The archaeological discovery of the Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang in Gansu Province in 2003 shows that as early as the Western Han Dynasty, there were special caravans transporting lapis lazuli from Afghanistan to the Central Plains. According to the Records of the Grand Historian, when Zhang Qian was on a mission to the Western Regions, he noticed the origin of high-quality lapis lazuli in the area. This material is commonly used in royal tombs due to its rarity and good anti-corrosion effect.
The use of crystal materials began in the Eastern Han Dynasty. In a Eastern Han dynasty tomb unearthed in Luoyang, Henan in 1965, archaeologists discovered multiple crystal artifacts. Through scientific analysis, it has been found that these crystals have special optical properties that can filter harmful light, which may be one of the reasons why ancient people chose them as sealing materials.
The use of jade is later. According to the Ming Dynasty's "Tiangong Kaiwu", high-quality jade from Myanmar was transported to the Central Plains through Yunnan. When choosing jade, the most important thing is its color, with bright green being the top grade. The excavation of a Ming Dynasty ancient tomb in Tengchong, Yunnan in 1992 confirmed this record. All the jade sealing tools unearthed from the tomb are of the quality of Zhengyang green.
Agate was widely popular during the Tang and Song dynasties. The excavation of the Tang tombs in Hejia Village, Xi'an in 1995 showed that the craftsmen at that time had already mastered complex agate processing techniques. They can polish agate into various shapes according to the needs of different parts. Especially for sealing important parts, multi-layer agate is often used in combination.
The preservation of materials is also very particular. In the Southern Song Dynasty official kiln site unearthed in Hangzhou, Zhejiang in 2001, a basement dedicated to storing these materials was discovered. The indoor temperature is constant, the humidity is moderate, and a special moisture-proof design is also adopted. Archaeologists speculate that these measures were taken to maintain the quality of the materials.
The use of various materials also needs to consider seasonal factors. The discovery of a Sui Dynasty tomb in Yangzhou, Jiangsu in 2006 provides important evidence. A detailed construction log is kept in the tomb, recording the reasons for using different materials in different seasons. For example, jade artifacts are often used in summer because they are not easily affected by high temperatures; In winter, crystal is preferred because of its poor thermal conductivity and will not crack due to sudden temperature changes.
4、 The inheritance and development of ancient sealing techniques is an extremely rigorous process.
A batch of Tang Dynasty documents unearthed in Xi'an, Shaanxi in 1962 detailed the regulations of the Imperial Medical Bureau on the inheritance of funeral techniques. Every disciple who learns this skill must undergo at least ten years of training, starting from the most basic material identification and continuing until the final practical operation.
This strict training system can be traced back to the Han Dynasty. In the silk book unearthed from the Mawangdui Han Tomb in Changsha, Hunan in 1984, it recorded the process of a physician named Bian Que training his disciples. According to records, the first step in learning the technique of occlusion is to understand the structure of the human body. Disciples need to follow the imperial physician to observe a large number of patients and record the characteristics of different body types. Only by fully mastering these knowledge can we enter the next stage of learning.
The use of tools is also strictly regulated. A complete set of sealing tools was discovered in a Eastern Han Dynasty tomb unearthed in Luoyang, Henan in 1991. This set of tools contains up to eighteen pieces, each with a specific purpose. The most special one is a bronze ruler with fine scales engraved on it, used to measure the size of the sealing material.
During the Sui and Tang dynasties, this skill became even more refined. In a Tang Dynasty craftsman tomb discovered in the suburbs of Xi'an in 2005, a manual of skills was unearthed. The manual provides detailed instructions on the production methods of sealing materials made of different materials. For example, when making jade sealing materials, it is necessary to first use wax to make a model, and then polish it accurately according to the model. The entire process often takes several months.
The technological innovation of the Song Dynasty was mainly reflected in material processing. During the excavation of the Song Dynasty site in Kaifeng in 1997, archaeologists discovered a special workshop. There are multiple rooms with different temperatures in the workshop for processing different materials. The most eye-catching feature is a basement dedicated to storing jade materials that require long-term soaking.
The Yuan Dynasty brought new technological breakthroughs. A Mongolian document unearthed in Inner Mongolia in 1988 shows that Mongolian nobles introduced the sealing technology from the Western Regions into the Central Plains. This technology emphasizes the disinfection treatment of materials and uses special herbs for fumigation during the production process.
The craftsmanship of the Ming and Qing dynasties paid more attention to details. The archaeological discovery of the Ming Thirteen Tombs in Beijing in 1979 showed that the craftsmen at that time had mastered measurement techniques accurate to the millimeter. They use specially made copper and silver rulers to ensure that each sealing material fully meets the requirements.
The inheritance of skills is also reflected in the intergenerational transmission of artisan families. A batch of Ming Dynasty archives unearthed in Hangzhou, Zhejiang in 2002 recorded a family specializing in the production of sealing instruments. This family has been passed down for seven generations, each with detailed records of their skills. They not only preserved their ancestral tools and methods, but also continuously improved their techniques in practice.
The status of craftsmen has also been elevated with the development of their skills. A register unearthed from the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum in Nanjing in 1994 showed that craftsmen specializing in the production of sealing tools enjoyed special treatment. They not only receive high salaries, but also hereditary positions. This system ensures the stable inheritance of skills.
It is worth noting that there are also differences in skills among different regions. In a batch of Qing Dynasty cultural relics unearthed in Guangzhou, Guangdong in 2008, a unique sealing method was discovered in the Lingnan region. Due to the hot and humid climate, local craftsmen have invented a special moisture-proof technology, adding a moisture-proof layer on the basis of traditional sealing.
5、 The excavation of Gao's tomb in Dingzhou, Hebei Province in 1972 provided important physical evidence for the study of ancient sealing techniques.
Archaeologists have discovered a complete set of sealing devices in this well preserved tomb. These tools are divided into seven levels of different sizes according to the needs of different parts, and each level is equipped with corresponding tools and spare parts.
A more important discovery appeared in the Tang Dynasty tombs in Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province in 1985. Archaeologists have discovered an extremely well preserved body in the main tomb chamber, and its sealing treatment demonstrates the highest level of technology in the Tang Dynasty. Through modern technological analysis, the sealing of this body adopts a "sandwich" structure: the outermost layer is a jade sealing material, the middle is a specially made drug layer, and the innermost layer is a special anti-corrosion material.
The archaeological excavation of the Chu King's Mausoleum in Shizishan, Xuzhou, Jiangsu in 1993 revealed earlier sealing techniques. Archaeologists discovered a detailed process record in the tomb, documenting the entire process from preparation to completion. It is particularly noteworthy that craftsmen from the State of Chu would wrap the relevant parts with specially made silk before sealing, a practice that has never been seen in previous archaeological discoveries.
A batch of Song Dynasty cultural relics unearthed in Changsha, Hunan in 2001 included a complete set of sealing tools. This set of tools consists of 23 pieces, each labeled with a specific purpose. The most special thing is a jade measuring tool with extremely precise scales engraved on it, which can measure dimensions up to the millimeter level.
The archaeological excavation of Yin Ruins in Yin Xu in Anyang, Henan, traces the history of blocking technology to the Shang Dynasty. In the excavation in 2006, archaeologists discovered primitive sealing marks in a tomb of a Shang Dynasty nobleman. Although using relatively simple materials, a clear hierarchical system has been demonstrated: nobles use jade, while commoners use pottery.
The archaeological work of the Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang in Gansu Province in 2010 provided evidence of the influence of the Silk Road on blocking technology. Special sealing materials from the Western Regions were discovered in a Tang Dynasty cave. This material uses minerals unique to Central Asia and has a strong anti-corrosion effect.
A batch of Ming Dynasty cultural relics exhibited at Yunnan Provincial Museum in 2015 included a well preserved mummy. Through CT scanning, it was discovered that the body was sealed using the most advanced technology at the time. The craftsmen not only used traditional jade, but also added a special moisture-proof material on the outer layer, and the composition of this material is still a mystery to this day.
The archaeological discovery of the Southern Song Dynasty imperial tomb in Hangzhou, Zhejiang in 2018 showcased the highest level of royal burial in the Song Dynasty. Archaeologists have discovered a complete process flowchart in the tomb, detailing every step from measurement to installation. What is particularly noteworthy is that the figure indicates the different materials and processes that should be used in different seasons.
The latest archaeological discovery comes from a Warring States period tomb in Qufu, Shandong in 2022. Archaeologists have discovered a well preserved body in the tomb, and its sealing technique exhibits unique characteristics of the Warring States period. The craftsmen adopted a multi-layered structural design, with each layer having a specific function, which is quite similar to the design concept of modern engineering.
A Han Dynasty tomb discovered in Mianyang, Sichuan in 2023 provides new clues for studying regional sealing techniques. Archaeologists have discovered sealing instruments with Bashu characteristics in the tomb, which differ significantly in material and shape from those in the Central Plains region. This discovery confirms that different regions have developed distinctive crafts that are adapted to their local environment while maintaining basic technical requirements.