5. The Site
• Known as Mawangdui
from Ma’andui
(‘saddles’)
• Old maps show it as the
tomb of Ma Yin, king of
Chu State during the
Five Dynasties and Ten
Kingdoms Period (9th
Century AD)
6. The Discovery
• 1971: troops were excavating
for a new underground
hospital
• When drilling pungent,
flammable gas emerged
• Locals thought it might be a
‘fire tomb’
• 1972-3: Archaeological
excavation begins – using a
bulldozer and many labourers
• Identified 3 tombs
8. Shovel & Burial Tablet
“On the first Wuchen day of
Yisi, the second month of the
twelfth year, the chamberlain
in charge of funeral service,
holding a memorial with
funeral articles, presents a list
of the delivery for inspection.”
= twelfth year in the reign of
Emperor Wendi of Han (168
B.C.)
9. A Powerful Family
Li Cang
‘Li Cang’
‘Seal of
Marquis of Dai’
‘Prime Minister
of Changsha
State’
Tomb 2
Xin Zhui
‘Concubine to
Dai’
Tomb 1
Li Xi
‘Chamberlin of Marquis Dai’
Tomb 3
13. Who was Lady Dai?
• Xin Zhui, also known as
Lady Dai or Marquise of
Dai
• Widow of Li Cang, the
Marquis of Dai, during the
Han Dynasty
• Died 163 BC
• Exceptionally well
preserved body
