Oldest Steel Acupuncture Needles Found in Chinese Tomb

Archaeology Magazine ^ | June 30, 2025 | editors / unattributed

[SunkenCiv]

Global Times reports that archaeologists investigating the tomb of Liu Hemarquis, the Marquis of Haihun, in east China's Jiangxi Province discovered the world's oldest steel acupuncture needles. Dating to the time of the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 9), the 2,000-year-old needles were found within a jade tube, which itself was placed inside a gilded lacquer box. A wooden label lying nearby inscribed with the words "Nine Needles Complete" confirms their identification, as ancient Chinese medical texts recommend the use of nine different needles during acupuncture. Analysis indicated that they were made from steel created through an advanced technique known as the "frying" process. This allowed for their extraordinary thinness, which is comparable to modern acupuncture needles. It was essential that these medical instruments be made from steel since gold and silver are too soft, and iron rusts, which could cause infection. "This breakthrough in material science directly fueled the evolution of acupuncture tools and the progress of medical practice itself," said Gu Man, director of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. To read about 2,000-year-old bronze mirrors found in Western Han Dynasty tombs, go to "Mirror, Mirror."

[SunkenCiv]

 

Jiangxi Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology

[SunkenCiv]

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[unread]

You know, that sure doesn’t look like a jade tube, and those needles definitely look kind of rusty to me... (?)

[Chainmail]

Absolutely amazing!

[Ezekiel]

You know, that sure doesn’t look like a jade tube, and those needles definitely look kind of rusty to me... (?)

Oh come on, don't be so jaded.

The next thing you know, people will be pointing out that these needles are sure proof that the jabs go way back, even straight to China no less.

That steel small voice can be a real thread-killer, so I shouldn't poke fun.

[exPBRrat]

Incredible.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Interesting.

[Organic Panic]

Quackery has been around a long time.

[SunkenCiv]

Gosh, it’s almost as if ferrous metal rusts over time.

[Chickensoup]

Actually it works

[dfwgator]

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Lots of people do not know the difference between steel and stainless steel.

[Texan5]

Acupuncture works-it is safe and drug free-I first tried it years ago after a back injury, and have used it many times since-so have my coworkers. It is a matter of choice...

[Rennes Templar]

“..so I shouldn’t poke fun.”

Well then what’s the point?

[Lazamataz]

I invented something similar to accupuncture.

I call it accuhammering.

I hit the person with a teeny tiny little hammer.

[Ezekiel]

Well then what’s the point?

Anyone care to take a stab at that one?

Someone had to be pretty derm-witted to take a stash of needles to the grave. He didn't think anyone would steel them?

[unread]

😁👍

[Organic Panic]

Acupuncture is quackery. Explain Qi otherwise. Placebos work too.

[Texan5]

You are entitled to your opinion, as am I-if drugas work for you without dangerous side effects that is great. I am a naturalist-I avoid all drugs, using natural remedies instead-so does most of my family-one of my aunts was also a curandera...

I have extremely bad reactions to most drugs/vaxxes-a simple flu shot will send me into anaphylactic shock in 15 minutes or less. Acupuncture has been used for 1000s of years-I’ll trust that rather than some drug pushed by big pharma till it becomes the cash cow du jour for personal injury attorneys on TV-no one I know says acupuncture doesn’t work, either...