“The Evolution of Biometrics: From Ancient Times to Modern Technology”
Long before the invention of modern biometric technology, humans have been using physical characteristics to identify one another. Ancient civilizations used physical features, such as facial features, scars, and tattoos, to identify criminals and prevent identity fraud. In ancient Babylon, for example, clay tablets were used to record fingerprints to identify workers in government jobs.
One of the earliest recorded examples of biometric identification comes from ancient China during the Qin dynasty, which ruled from 221 to 206 BCE. According to historical records, the government of the Qin Dynasty used handprints as a method of identification for documents and contracts. In ancient Babylon between1792–1750 B.C., clay tablets were used to record fingerprints to identify workers in government jobs.
The practice of using handprints for identification continued into the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE) when fingerprints were also used as a means of identifying criminals. In fact, the Tang Dynasty legal code contains the first recorded use of fingerprints as evidence in a criminal case.
