In a groundbreaking archaeological discovery from East China, researchers have unearthed a ceramic equestrian figurine featuring the earliest known image of a stirrup.

This artifact, found in the family tomb of Ding Feng—a general from the Three Kingdoms period (220-280)—was uncovered in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province.

It dates back to the year 271, effectively pushing back the historical record of stirrup use by 31 years.

This distinction was previously held by another ceramic figurine from a Western Jin (265-316) tomb discovered in Changsha, Central China's Hunan Province, which dates to 302.

The figurine measures 20 centimeters in height and prominently displays a single triangular stirrup on the left side of the horse's belly.

This finding has been described as revolutionary within the field of ancient military history, according to the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.

The depiction of the stirrup has invited fascination and re-evaluation from historians and scholars alike, as its presence demonstrates a pivotal advance in horsemanship that pre-dates formerly accepted chronologies.

This unique artifact portrays a rider donning a small round hat, seated upright on the horse.

Although the rider's arms and left leg are missing, the visible stirrup remains a focal point.

Furthermore, the rider's missing left foot was not depicted in the stirrup, suggesting its primary use was as an aid for mounting the horse rather than for riding stability.

The absence of a corresponding right stirrup indicates that single-sided stirrups may have initially served a utilitarian function, primarily assisting in mounting rather than for balanced riding.

Zhou Baohua, a researcher with the Nanjing Archaeological Research Institute, commented on the significance of the finding, stating, "The presence of a single-sided stirrup on the figurine shocked us.

The stirrup was a critical innovation for cavalry and mounted archery, significantly enhancing their effectiveness." Prior to this innovation, riders depended predominantly on their legs and needed one hand for stabilizing themselves on the saddle—a factor that inherently limited combat effectiveness from horseback.

The invention of the stirrup emancipated the rider's hands, granting newfound stability and enabling soldiers to wield weapons effectively in mounted combat.

Liu Zheng, a member of the China Cultural Relics Academy, observed that this development was transformative not only for Chinese military tactics but globally as well.

British historian Joseph Needham noted that "the stirrup, invented in China, revolutionized medieval European cavalry tactics," underscoring the profound global impact of this Chinese innovation.

Notably, Nanjing also holds a prior record related to stirrups.

The earliest depiction of a pair of stirrups was discovered in the tomb of Wang Yi, an uncle of the renowned calligrapher Wang Xizhi.

The ceramic horse figurine from Wang Yi's tomb exhibits the first known double stirrups, a testament to the region's rich historical contributions to horsemanship.

Beyond visual representations, the earliest physical stirrup relic was unearthed in Chaoyang, Liaoning Province, northeast China.

Chaoyang has provided the largest collection of ancient stirrups, featuring a wide array and capturing the earliest examples, typically discovered in pairs.

Such findings, reported by Xinhua News Agency, underscore China's crucial role in developing equestrian technology that would shape military and cultural practices worldwide for centuries.