Here's how people apologised for getting drunk and embarrassing themselves in the 9th century

In 9th century China if you got p*ssed at a dinner party and made a fool of yourself you'd be expected to send a formal letter by way of an apology.

Flash forward to the present day and a similar sorrow-filled Whatsapp message would still suffice.

In fact this template letter from the Dunhuang Bureau of Etiquette dated 856 and unearthed by Letters of Note is a brilliant example of how absolutely nothing has changed when it comes to getting trashed and doing things you probably shouldn't.

Yesterday, having drunk too much, I was intoxicated as to pass all bounds; but none of the rude and coarse language I used was uttered in a conscious state.

The next morning, after hearing others speak on the subject, I realised what had happened, whereupon I was overwhelmed with confusion and ready to sink into the earth with shame.