Here’s a real skeleton story as we begin Halloween celebrations.

Dr. Qian Wang, professor in biomedical sciences at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas, identified what he and other researchers believe is likely one of the first examples of an ancient nose amputation.

The skull of a woman who lived in central China about 700 years ago could be tangible evidence of what ancient legal documents describe as nose amputations. Wang said such punishments, along with limb amputations, were forms of criminal punishment for those convicted of stealing horses and cattle or for repeat offenses of lesser crimes. Other punishments included decapitation, facial inking/tattooing and castration, and they were used during the Yuan Dynasty, which ran from about 1271 to 1368.

“The process of (bone) damage, healing and bone spurs/outgrowth around the nasal opening indicated that the mature way of nose-cutting most probably from bottom up,” shared Wang, a well-known biological anthropologist, in a written explanation. “The way of bone remodeling might suggest the wearing of a kind of nasal prosthetic.”

He joined researchers from what’s now Sanmenxia Yangshao Culture Institute in China and nearby Zhengzhou University in their archaeological investigation in July 2024 to examine bone pathology, tooth wear and other skeletal markers. The original dig was in 2018.

Wang and the other researchers’ findings are shared in the November issue of the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. Read the abstract.

Wang said she likely lived into her 40s and was buried alone and face down, which indicates she received special treatment to cover her disfigurement and was cast off from others. He said she probably lived for a few years after the amputation.

It’s possible she lived into the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Her skeleton was screened and assessed for trauma and diseases. Wang said more skeletons will be screened in the future.

Wang is the initiator of the Global History of Health Project Asia Module, an international collaborative project to systematically document the health/disease status of human skeletal remains from the past 10,000 years. They assess how human health status, including oral health, varies with environment, economic mode, climate change, and interpersonal conflicts. 

His findings often make international headlines. Wang appeared on the “Ancient Aliens” television series earlier this year and shared details about another discovery in China. Eleven skeletons had artificially elongated skulls and flattened bones at the back of their heads; one, dating back 12,000 years, is believed to be the oldest example of artificial cranial deformation.

“The elongated head could have symbolized and amplified the person’s higher status within the group,” Wang said at the time. “The head-binding practice could be humans reimagining themselves to look like gods and goddesses.”