Iron Surgical Tools Unearthed in Ancient Burial Site
On May 26 at 9:00 PM, archaeologists uncovered iron surgical instruments—including scissors and forceps—inside the tomb of Xia Quan in Jiangyin, China. Dating back roughly 600 years, these artifacts represent the world's first direct chemical proof of a substance applied to numb the skin during medical procedures.
Scientific Analysis Reveals Painkilling Compounds
X-ray fluorescence analysis confirmed the tools were made of iron. Under a microscope, researchers collected three tiny samples of rust-brown residue from the working surfaces. Using micro-Raman spectroscopy, they identified the presence of a cyanide group, organic fats, and aconitine—an alkaloid toxin found in plants of the Aconitum genus. Aconitine was historically used as a pain reliever, and medieval physicians detoxified it using mung beans, vinegar, or urine.
The full findings have been published in the scientific journal Antiquity. This discovery demonstrates that anesthesia was already being employed in medieval surgery during the Ming Dynasty, offering important insights into the evolution of medical practices throughout history.
The recovery of iron surgical tools and the chemical compounds used for pain relief highlights the advanced state of medical knowledge in Ming Dynasty China. This breakthrough could reshape our understanding of the history of surgery and anesthesia, suggesting that ancient healers possessed more sophisticated treatment methods than previously believed. The study, featured in Antiquity, may also spark further scientific investigations in this field.
This remarkable finding parallels another significant discovery in the field of ancient medicine. A recent study revealed that Neanderthals performed dental surgeries as far back as 59,000 years ago, showcasing the advanced medical practices of our ancestors. Such insights into early surgical techniques highlight the long-standing human endeavor to alleviate pain and improve health, emphasizing the evolution of medical knowledge across different cultures and eras.