Punishments for women in the empire 100,000 years ago were to be chained around the neck and buried alive underground.

Brutal Punishments in Antiquity: The Practice of Burying Women Alive

The history of humanity is full of dark episodes that show how ancient societies punished their members, especially women, in cruel and dehumanizing ways. One of the most atrocious forms documented is the practice of chaining women around the neck and burying them alive underground, a punishment that reflects the gender inequality and brutality of certain cultures in archaic times.

Although there is no evidence that such punishments existed 100,000 years ago, the practice of burying people alive as a punishment
appears in records from several more recent civilizations. Ancient societies, governed by severe laws and patriarchal traditions, often imposed exemplary punishments on women accused of crimes such as adultery, blasphemy, or disobedience.

These punishments were designed not only to punish, but also to instill fear in the community and reinforce social and cultural control.

The act of chaining a woman by the neck before burying her alive had deep symbolism. The chains represented the total loss of freedom, while the burial symbolized the rejection and ultimate condemnation of society. This ritual punishment sought to humiliate the victim until the last moment and erase her existence.

In some cultures, live burials were not always exclusively a punishment. Sometimes, they were part of religious or superstitious rituals, in which it was believed that human sacrifices could appease the gods or ensure the fertility of the land. In many cases, women were selected as victims because of their symbolic association with life, fertility, and purity.

Historical Examples

Ancient Rome:

On certain occasions, Vestals (priestesses of Vesta) were buried alive if they broke their vow of chastity. This was considered an act of purification for society.

Ancient India:

The practice of “sati” consisted of widows being burned alive alongside the corpses of their husbands, although in some cases live burials were recorded instead of cremations.

Ancient China:

During some dynasties, the concubines of a deceased emperor were buried alive with him, as a sign of eternal loyalty.

Modern Reflection

Thankfully, advances in human rights have largely eradicated these brutal practices, but their memory remains a testament to humanity’s long journey towards justice and equality. Today, studying these stories allows us to reflect on how past societies used fear and violence to maintain control, especially over women, and how these patterns of oppression have been challenged and transformed over time.

This dark chapter in history reminds us of the importance of defending human rights and building a society in which no one is treated as an object of humiliation or suffering, regardless of their gender or social status.