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The history of human sacrifice in China may extend as early as 2300 BCE.<ref name=Larmer-2020-08-06-NG>{{cite web |first=Brook |last=Larmer |date=2020-08-06 |title=Mysterious carvings and evidence of human sacrifice uncovered in ancient city |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/08/mysterious-carvings-evidence-human-sacrifice-uncovered-ancient-city-china/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807020340/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/08/mysterious-carvings-evidence-human-sacrifice-uncovered-ancient-city-china/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |access-date=2020-08-07 |series=History |website=National Geographic |language=en}}</ref> Excavations of the ancient fortress city of Shimao in the northern part of modern [[Shaanxi|Shaanxi province]] revealed 80 skulls ritually buried underneath the city's eastern wall.<ref name=Larmer-2020-08-06-NG/> Forensic analysis indicates the victims were all teenage girls.<ref name=Larmer-2020-08-06-NG/>
The [[History of China#Ancient China|ancient Chinese]] are known to have made drowned sacrifices of men and women to the river god [[Hebo]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Strassberg |first=Richard E. |year=2002 |title=A Chinese Bestiary: Strange creatures from the guideways through mountains and seas |place=Berkeley, CA |publisher=University of California Press |page=202}}</ref> They also have buried [[Slavery in China|slaves]] alive with their owners upon death as part of a [[funeral]] service. This was especially prevalent during the [[Shang dynasty|Shang]] and [[Zhou dynasty|Zhou]] dynasties. During the [[Warring States period]], [[Ximen Bao]] of [[Wei (state)|Wei]] outlawed human sacrificial practices to the river god.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ximen Bao |publisher=Chinaculture.org |date=2003-09-24 |url=http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_26349.htm |access-date=2010-05-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303174603/http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_26349.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 }}</ref> In Chinese lore, Ximen Bao is regarded as a folk hero who pointed out the absurdity of human sacrifice.{{cn|date=July 2024}}
The sacrifice of a high-ranking male's slaves, [[concubine]]s, or servants upon his death (called ''Xun Zang'' 殉葬 or ''Sheng Xun'' 生殉) was a more common form. The stated purpose was to provide companionship for the dead in the afterlife. In earlier times, the victims were either killed or buried alive, while later they were usually forced to commit suicide.{{cn|date=July 2024}}
Funeral human sacrifice was widely practiced in the ancient Chinese [[state of Qin]]. According to the ''[[Records of the Grand Historian]]'' by [[Han dynasty]] historian [[Sima Qian]], the practice was started by [[Duke Wu of Qin|Duke Wu]], the tenth ruler of Qin, who had 66 people buried with him in 678 BCE. The 14th ruler [[Duke Mu of Qin|Duke Mu]] had 177 people buried with him in 621 BCE, including three senior government officials.<ref name="shiji">
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After the abolition by Duke Xian, funeral human sacrifice became relatively rare throughout the central parts of China. However, the [[Hongwu Emperor]] of the [[Ming dynasty]] revived it in 1395, following the Mongolian [[Yuan dynasty|Yuan]] precedent, when his second son died and two of the prince's concubines were sacrificed. In 1464, the [[Emperor Yingzong of Ming|Tianshun Emperor]], in his will, forbade the practice for Ming emperors and princes.{{cn|date=July 2024}}
Human sacrifice was also practised by the [[Manchus]]. Following [[Nurhaci|Nurhaci's]] death, his wife, [[Lady Abahai]], and his two lesser consorts committed suicide. During the [[Qing dynasty]], sacrifice of slaves was banned by the [[Kangxi Emperor]] in 1673.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}
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