The Metal Stirrup in China - Heather Beveridge

From WolfWikis

Likely one of the most important and implemental inventions in the history of horsemanship is the metal stirrup; a commonplace tool today, experienced horsemen can appreciate the limited stability dangling legs supply astride a thousand pound animal traveling over thirty miles an hour, clearing six-foot hurdles, or engaging in mounted warfare brandishing lances, bows, swords, or rifles. The stirrup has a disputed past, with the first appearance of the metal stirrup being in China in early 4th century A.D.

Perspectives: Domestication of the Horse

It is interesting to note the appearance of the stirrup is relatively recent compared with the actual domestication of the horse. The earliest concrete evidence of the domestication of equines is textual and artistic items dating back to 2000 B.C., including antler cheekpieces used for riding or harness found in Sintashta chariot burials in the Ural Mountains of North Kazakhstan.[2] Recently, it has been suggested early domestication of the horse began as early as 4000 B.C.[2] In Northern Kazakhstan, there is evidence of the domestic horse in the Botai culture during the Copper Age (3600-3100 B.C.[2] The evidence suggests the horse was the center of the economy and that the Botai engaged in management pursuits such as culling.[2] Later, there is evidence of the first Chinese saddle in the seventh century B.C.[2] However, even early, perishable stirrups are not seen until the first century B.C. to the first century A.D.

Early Stirrups

Strap Stirrups

The first leg supports developed are known as “toe stirrups”[2,4] or “strap stirrups”[3] in India in the first century A.D. Ancient evidence suggests these contraptions were made of rope or straps with a loop in which to rest the big toe. Later loops may also have been large enough to rest the foot in and contain a wooded tread for soled feet.[3] However, these stirrups would not have been entirely effective due to the fact that they were perishable and dangerous should the rider fall.

Hook Stirrups

Another development was a sturdier, more supportive stirrup made of metal known as the “hook stirrup”, thought to have been developed as early as 4th century B.C. in Crimea.[3] This oddly shaped stirrup is thought to have been more stable and less dangerous than the strap stirrup, and to have been comparable to the stirrup developed by the Chinese.[3] Modifications of this type of stirrup were continued to be seen dating back to 50 A.D.,[3] as well as similar, simultaneous developments of a working stirrup across the domestic horse world.

The Metal Stirrup and China

The Mounting Stirrup

China was responsible for many important developments in horse harnessing including the breast strap, the horse collar, and the metal stirrup.[2] According to archaeological evidence, the first metal stirrups from China date to the first half of the fourth century A.D. It is speculated the reason for the late involvement of China in stirrup development may have been that the Chinese originally utilized chariots, and were not seen to switch to the ridden horse until around 307 B.C.[3] The first metal stirrups were in fact a single stirrup intended for mounting, as indicated from artistic evidence of the West Jin dynasty in 302 A.D. Chansha.[2] The etymology of the Chinese word for stirrup in fact stems from their word for horse (“ma”) and to climb or mount (“den”).[3] With advancements in armor and weapons, the Chinese had to continue the development of this “mounting stirrup” to support the cavalryman during mounted warfare.

Paired Stirrups

The first evidence of paired riding stirrups is on a pottery horse in a tomb near Nanjing dating to 322 A.D,[2] and Chinese literature makes regular reference to the metal stirrup from 447 A.D.[4] These stirrups began in the 4th century as a wooden base sheathed in bronze, and eventually by the 5th century constructed entirely by cast iron.[3] The stirrups started triangular in shape, becoming more oval overtime, and appears to have spread from China to Korea, Northeast Asia, and Japan,[2] as well as west to Iran, the Byzantine Empire, and eventually Europe.[1] Other evidence, such as metal stirrups found in Siberian graves dating to the second and third century A.D.[4] suggest that the metal stirrup may have developed simultaneously in several countries around the same time period.

Through the Ages: The Stirrup and Mounted Warfare

The stirrup developed by the Chinese had several advantages over the toe or hook stirrup. The top armor of the Chinese cavalryman was becoming heavier and more difficult to balance.[3] With new weapons, such as the long lance, bows, and swords, accompanied by new, sometimes more unsettling mounted warfare tactics, paired stirrups provided the extra stability needed to keep the cavalryman in the saddle.[3] The metal stirrup may not have made as revolutionary impact in traditional horse cultures, such as the Indians, whereas the Chinese benefited due to the fact that they were not natural on horseback.[3]

The stirrup has been an essential piece of equipment in the history of mounted warfare, from China to Medieval Europe to World War I, especially for those cultures that are not centered on horses such as American Indians. The metal stirrup has continued to today since its perfection by the Chinese to be a durable, stabilizing, and commonplace item in the equestrian world.

Resources:

1. History World. “History of Warfare - Land”. [1]

2. The International Museum of the Horse. “The Legacy of the Horse”. [2]

3. Littauer, M.A. “Early Stirrups”. Antiquity. 55(1981): 99-105. [CC1 .A7 v.54-55 1980-1981 (D.H. Hill Library)].

4. Seaby, W.A. and Woodfield, P. “Viking Stirrups from England and Their Background”. Medieval Archaeology. 24(1980): 87-122. [Google Scholar: ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-769-1/ahds/dissemination/pdf/vol24/24_087_122.pdf].