Many people assume that ancient humans lived long and healthy lives, free from modern pollution and processed foods. One popular myth often cited is that of Peng Zu, a legendary figure said to have lived 800 years in ancient China. However, historians suggest that the method of counting years at the time might have been different—some say that every 60 days counted as a year, making his actual lifespan around 130 years. While still extraordinary, this number is at least within the realm of human possibility.

What Was the Average Lifespan in Ancient China?

So, how long did the average person actually live in ancient times? According to historian Lin Wanxiao’s research in The Average and Expected Lifespan in Chinese History, the estimated average lifespan across different dynasties was:

  • Pre-Qin era: 18 years
  • Han Dynasty: 22 years
  • Tang Dynasty: 27 years
  • Song Dynasty: 30 years
  • Qing Dynasty: 33 years

This means that reaching 70 years of age, as Du Fu famously wrote, was indeed a rare achievement. In reality, making it past 30 was already a challenge for most.

Why Was Life So Short?

1. High Infant Mortality Rates

One of the biggest factors lowering the average lifespan was infant mortality. Even among royalty, child mortality was high—Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty had 17 sons, but 7 of them died before reaching the age of 8. If even the imperial family, with their access to the best resources, faced such struggles, one can only imagine the situation for commoners. Historical data suggests that in societies with an average lifespan of 30 years, around 40% of children died before the age of 10. If a child survived beyond this age, they had a good chance of reaching their 40s or 50s.

Archaeological findings from a Qin Dynasty burial site in Shaanxi support this. Of 200 skeletons analyzed, a significant number of individuals had lived past 35, with some even reaching 60. However, the absence of children’s remains indicates that many may not have been buried alongside adults, further highlighting the high childhood mortality rates.

2. War and Famine

Even if one made it past childhood, survival was far from guaranteed. Frequent wars and natural disasters caused widespread famine, which severely impacted population longevity. Some of the most devastating periods included:

  • The chaos of the Sixteen Kingdoms period during the Jin Dynasty
  • The Mongol invasion and subsequent fall of the Song Dynasty
  • The Taiping Rebellion during the late Qing Dynasty

Each of these events saw dramatic drops in population due to violence, starvation, and disease.

3. Poor Medical Conditions

Another crucial factor was the lack of advanced medical care. Medical treatment was expensive, and many common people simply could not afford it. In Dream of the Red Chamber, a doctor’s house call cost a whole tael of silver—half a month’s wages for an ordinary person. This didn’t even include the cost of medicine. While there were some charitable medical institutions in large cities, they were limited in number and effectiveness.

Even for those who could afford medical treatment, the effectiveness was questionable. Before the advent of modern medicine, even common illnesses like the flu could be fatal. Diseases such as tuberculosis (historically called “consumption” and suspected to have claimed the life of the fictional Lin Daiyu), typhoid, and malaria had high mortality rates. Smallpox was another deadly threat—so much so that Qing emperors would only consider heirs who had already survived the disease. Even something as simple as a dog bite could be fatal if it led to rabies or wound infections.

Modern Advancements and Lifespan

Fortunately, medical advancements in the 20th century dramatically changed human longevity. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, modern medicine became widely available, leading to a significant increase in average lifespan. During China’s First Five-Year Plan, Soviet-assisted projects helped establish pharmaceutical factories, ensuring mass production of antibiotics like penicillin and streptomycin. These breakthroughs, alongside better hygiene, nutrition, and vaccines, drastically reduced mortality rates from previously fatal diseases.

Would You Really Want to Time Travel?

While romanticized portrayals of the past may make ancient life seem idyllic, the reality was harsh. Without modern medicine, even a simple cold could be deadly. So before dreaming of time-traveling to ancient China, you might want to pack some antibiotics—just in case.