China Stamps Its Mark on History
China had an express postal delivery service more than 2,000 years ago, archaeologists in Beijing now believe, as well as less pleasant features of the modern state, such as imprisonment for overdue taxes.
The evidence was unearthed in June when thousands of bamboo slips used as records during the Qin dynasty (221-207 BC) were discovered at the bottom of an ancient well. One of them carries two Chinese characters meaning "fast delivery", while others refer to tax "payments" and "penalties".
The dynasty's first emperor was notorious for burning the books of Confucius and other philosophers - and for the terracotta army at his tomb - but he also established China's first nationwide bureaucracy.
More than 10,000 bamboo slips were discovered at Liye in Hunan province, the most ever found from this period.
Other slips already deciphered include mathematical calculations, historical records and lists of ethnic groups.
According to ancient texts the Qin government had a "postal delivery law" which divided documents into the equivalent of first and second class mail. First-class was reserved for messages sent by the emperor.
Four routes were served by relays of couriers on horseback covering 125 miles a day.
China's postal service still functions smoothly, but the biggest earners rarely pay tax.
The evidence was unearthed in June when thousands of bamboo slips used as records during the Qin dynasty (221-207 BC) were discovered at the bottom of an ancient well. One of them carries two Chinese characters meaning "fast delivery", while others refer to tax "payments" and "penalties".
The dynasty's first emperor was notorious for burning the books of Confucius and other philosophers - and for the terracotta army at his tomb - but he also established China's first nationwide bureaucracy.
More than 10,000 bamboo slips were discovered at Liye in Hunan province, the most ever found from this period.
Other slips already deciphered include mathematical calculations, historical records and lists of ethnic groups.
According to ancient texts the Qin government had a "postal delivery law" which divided documents into the equivalent of first and second class mail. First-class was reserved for messages sent by the emperor.
Four routes were served by relays of couriers on horseback covering 125 miles a day.
China's postal service still functions smoothly, but the biggest earners rarely pay tax.
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