"Skating Also Originated in China" China Follows Ski Origin Theory Again

China Discovers Animal Bone with Holes at Both Ends
"Skate Made 3500 Years Ago" Claimed

China has claimed that animal bones with holes drilled at both ends found in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are primitive skates, asserting that this area is the birthplace of skating and winter sports. China had previously proposed the origin of skiing in Xinjiang with weak evidence, which was rejected by the global academic and sports communities.

South Korean skater Cha Min-kyu is racing in the men's 500m speed skating event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, held on February 12 last year at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to state-run Global Times on the 27th, Chinese archaeologists announced at a press conference on the 25th that they discovered animal bone skates estimated to be 3,500 years old in a tomb of the ruling class in the Ili River Valley of Xinjiang. These skates were made from cow and horse bones. Around the Xinjiang tomb, over 500 relics including wooden wheels from wooden chariots, pottery, and bronze artifacts were found.

Experts explained that these skates are very similar to bone skates found in ancient Europe. They added, "Although the reason why ancient Xinjiang people used skates is unknown, this discovery is evidence of communication between Bronze Age China and Europe," and claimed, "The ancient skates discovered for the first time in China could be evidence that China is the birthplace of another winter sport besides skiing."

Last year, ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics, China also asserted that skiing originated in the Xinjiang region. A petroglyph discovered in 2005 near 3,000 meters above sea level in the Altai region of Xinjiang depicts a figure wearing skis and is estimated to be 10,000 years old, suggesting that the Altai region is the 'origin of human skiing.'

The Altai region is an ancient Silk Road area bordering Mongolia, Russia, and Kazakhstan. The petroglyph depicts about ten people standing on poles and around twenty animals such as yaks and moose. It is presumed to represent hunters skiing while tracking animals.

The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Photo source=Pixabay]

Although China claims the Altai petroglyphs are 10,000 years old, an Australian-Chinese archaeological team that investigated the site concluded that the petroglyphs date back approximately 4,000 to 5,250 years. Researchers from other countries have stated that the Chinese Altai origin theory has not been proven and consider the origin of skiing to be either the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe or an independent development.

Additionally, petroglyphs from about 5,000 years ago found in Zolotaya Balka, Russia, bordering Finland, more clearly depict figures holding poles and wearing skis. Also, in Alta, Norway, a UNESCO World Heritage site, petroglyphs showing skiers hunting have been discovered.

Meanwhile, according to Guinness World Records, the oldest ski equipment discovered so far is preserved in a peat bog in Sweden and is estimated to date back to around 2,500 BCE.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.