A bioarchaeological and biocultural investigation of Chinese footbinding at the Xuecun archaeological site, Henan Province, China

Abstract

From 2005–2006 the Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Henan Province, excavated the Xuecun cemetery as part of a salvage archaeology project associated with the South to North Water Diversion Project. This gave a unique opportunity to examine burials from the Ming-Qing Dynasties (1360–1911). Burials from this period are seldom excavated as the Chinese, do not want to disturb their direct ancestors. This is one of the first studies to examine the paleopathological consequences for footbinding in China. A total of 202 individuals were analyzed for evidence of bound feet: including the loss of musculature in the legs, alterations to muscle attachments, changes in the morphology of the tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges, and signs of infection and trauma. Length and width measurements of tarsals, metatarsal, and phalanges were taken from all females with observable bones. T-test results confirmed a significant difference in tarsal and metatarsal length/width. The incidence of footbinding also increased through time from no evidence in the Han Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, Song Dynasty, and Jin Dynasty, to a dramatic increase in the late Ming Dynasty to Qing Dynasty.