The oldest steel acupuncture needle found in Marquis Haihun

The earliest known steel needle needle in the world was discovered in the archaeological wonderland of Marquis Haihun, Jiangxi Province, eastern China. The cross-sectional diameter is only 0.3-0.5 mm, and its fineness is comparable to the high-level metallurgical technology of modern acupuncture needles and the Western Han Dynasty (AD 202 BC-220 AD).

At least five needles were found in the gilded lacquer box placed in the coffin of the deceased, and the bangs (Liu He) were the shameful 27-day emperor, who were later regained the title of Haihun. He died in 59 B.C. and was buried in tens of thousands of artifacts, 2 million bronze coins, library books on wood and bamboo, many weapons and a set of fish rulers of unprecedented complexity.

These needles may be wrapped in a now-decomposed cloth and have been inserted into a hollow jade tube. When archaeologists opened the lacquer box, they found broken jade tubes and what looked like needles inside. They are corroded and dispersed, giving researchers the opportunity to analyze small fragments that have been broken rather than sampled from a larger portion.

Tests confirmed that the needle is made of steel made from advanced “frying” processes, which makes it possible to achieve its extraordinary thinness. Their identity was confirmed by wooden labels near the box with the “Nine Needles Complete”.

“This definitely determines them as a type of ‘nine needles’ described in ancient medical texts,” explained Wang Chuning, a PhD researcher at Peking University.

Experts stressed the significance of this steel innovation.

“Iron needles can easily rust and risk infection. The golden or silver needles are too soft to make this thin.” Zhou Qi, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, noted that the steel needles can achieve more complex techniques and retain them longer in the body, representing a large leap in the Stone or Croude Metal Metal tools.

“This is the earliest physical evidence of Chinese steel needles,” GU, director of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, told the Global Times.