铜器刖人形象所见周代刖刑制度

The Amputation Penal System in the Zhou Dynasty as Illustrated in the Imagery of Mutilated Figures in Bronzes

本文将铜器中健全人形象与刖人形象进行对比,结合文献资料和体质人类学研究,对周代刖刑制度提出三点新认识:一,刖人的性别男女均有,女性未被排除在外;二,存在单足被刖、双足被刖两种形式,施刑位置固定在小腿下端,存活率有所提高;三,单足被刖者借助“手杖”可站立行走,双足被刖者只能勉强蹲跪。周代刖人的社会地位低贱,日常需承担守囿、守门职责,部分还可能遭到流放,常衣不蔽体、食不果腹,生前及死后饱受歧视,境遇十分悲惨。

This paper compares the images of intact human figures and mutilated figures depicted on Zhou-Dynasty bronzes.Through integrating textual sources and physical anthropology research,three new insights into the Zhou-Dynasty's penal system of foot amputation(yuexing)are proposed.First,both men and women were subject to the punishment,with women not excluded;second,there were two forms of the punishment—amputation of one foot or both feet—with the amputation procedure being standardized to the lower calf,resulting in a higher survival rate;third,individuals with one foot amputated could stand and walk with the aid of a"stick",while those with both feet amputated likely could only crouch or kneel.Mutilated individuals in the Zhou Dynasty held a low social status.They were often tasked with duties such as guarding parks and gates,and some were possibly exiled.They often suffered from inadequate clothing and food,facing severe discrimination both in life and after death,leading to extremely tragic circumstances.