How Did Chinese Use Fingerprints In Ancient Times?

Ancient Chinese civilizations made significant use of inked fingerprints for various purposes. Evidence of this practice can be traced back to prehistoric times, as illustrated by the discovery of handprints with ridge patterns in Nova Scotia. In ancient Babylon, fingerprints found their utility on clay tablets, primarily in the context of business transactions. Similarly, ancient Chinese societies also utilized fingerprints, particularly thumbprints, which were impressed onto clay seals. These clay seals served multiple functions, including authentication of documents, indicating ownership, and ensuring the security and validity of various written records and items. The use of fingerprints in ancient China reflected their innovative approach to administrative and bureaucratic systems, providing valuable insights into their culture and organizational practices.

In ancient civilizations, such as during Hammurabi’s reign in Babylon (1955–1913 BCE), fingerprints held a significant role as they were utilized as distinctive seals on contracts. This practice demonstrates an early recognition of the distinct and individualized patterns found on each person’s fingers. Interestingly, this method is not limited to Babylon; it is also credited to the Chinese, who employed fingerprints in a similar fashion as early as the second or third century BCE. This widespread use of fingerprints underscores their importance in ancient societies for authentication and identification purposes.

Fingerprint identification for criminal investigations dates back to 300 B.C. and can be traced to the Qin Dynasty in China. During this time, the Chinese utilized friction ridge skin patterns as a method of identifying individuals in various contexts, including crime scene investigations (Xiang-Xin & Chun-Ge, 1988). This early adoption of fingerprint analysis in China marked a significant historical development in the field of forensic science, offering valuable insights into the ancient practice of using fingerprints as a means of identification and law enforcement.