Immigrants and Criminals in Ancient China (770 BCE-220 CE)

Concrete evidence for migration and immigration is rare in archaeological context. Bioarchaeology, the study of human skeletal remains from archaeological excavations, can provide direct evidence of the ancient movement of individuals and populations. With the creation of the Chinese and Xiongnu empires new borders and alliances were created with neighboring states. Migration and immigration in China were strictly controlled by the state. Historical records show evidence of widespread voluntary and involuntary migrations within China at this time. At the same time legal documents trace the movement and legal status of immigrants. For this study, 11 individuals from four archaeological sites (Nileke, Chandman, Yanghai, Yingpan) dating from 770 BCE-220 CE were analyzed with distinctive trauma patterns to the face. During imperial times these sites were four separate independent states along the Chinese and Xiongnu frontier. Ten individuals (7 male, 3 female) had their noses cut off with a sharp instrument. All of them were well healed, indicating advanced medical knowledge. One male individual had a well healed trauma to the forehead, possibly from branding or a tattoo. All of these individuals were from non-Asian populations (Indo-European/Persian/Turkic languages), and would have been visually distinctive (blonde hair, blue eyes) from the Xiongnu and Han Chinese. Chinese legal documents on mutilating punishments correspond to the trauma found on these individuals. This study further explores possible reasons for their immigration into China and what felony crimes may have been committed.