Chinese researchers have documented presumed examples of the 'yue' practice, which is a form of punitive amputation dating back to the Warring States period.
Approximately 2,500 years ago, parts of the limbs of an adult woman and a man were amputated. In the case of the man, the injury occurred twice within several weeks, which may indicate repeated commission of a serious offense.
Information about these findings was presented in the scientific journal International Journal of Osteoarchaeology.