Handprints on bricks from the Jin-Yuan Period (1115-1368 CE) of Inner Mongolia, China - A case of art experiments by laborers

The human hands are among the earliest art themes, though reasons behind hand art in ancient times are not totally understood. In this study, we report handprints on bricks excavated from the Xiheidai cemetery, located in Jungar Banner, Inner Mongolia, China. Handprints were found on six bricks that came from the fillings of the tomb II-M5. The burial style and funeral goods indicated that II-M5 belonged to the Jin-Yuan Period (1115-1368CE). Data based on the morphology and measurements of handprints (especially that of the digits, sex, age, and height of people who left them) were analyzed in addition to hand preference. Results demonstrated that adult males left these handprints. The males had mainly middle posture and all were right-handed. The identities of the people who left these handprints are unknown. They might include brick-making laborers who had leisurely moments of artistic experimentation and experiences. However, these bricks were treated as waste. These discoveries bring out not only first-hand hand morphology beyond bones, but also vivid working scenarios of ancient laborers, adding to our understanding of working-class daily life in northern China nearly a millennium ago.