The document discusses the Han Dynasty in China from 206 BCE to 220 AD, including its subdynasties. It describes the Mawangdui archaeological site where silk texts, well-preserved bodies, and burial goods from around 168 BCE were excavated in 1973, providing insights into Han cosmology, Daoism, Confucianism, and daily life. Important artifacts found in Lady Dai's tomb at Mawangdui include a Taoist silk text, lacquerware, and gauze gowns.

1. Han Dynasty
206 BCE-220 AD

2. Han Dynasty Subdynasties
• Western (or Former) Han
• Xin (9-23 AD, brief interruption in Liu
family rule)
• Eastern (or Later) Han

3. Mawangdui
• Excavated 1973. Burials ca. 168 BCE
• Important finds:
– Well-preserved bodies
– Texts on Silk
– Grave Goods, aka “Mingqi” or “glorious
vessels”
• The role of the afterlife in telling us about
daily life (cf. Egypt)
• Han Cosmology, Daoism & Confucianism

4. • Excavation Site at Mawangdui, burial
chamber of Lady Dai

6. • Slide Show of Excavation of Lady Dai's Tomb
• Slide Show of Excavation of Third Tomb

9. Lady Dai

10. • Fragment of Taoist text on silk, from Lady
Dai’s tomb

11. • Pair of Dishes suitable for food (found in Mawangdui Tombs)
Western Han Dynasty, 2nd – 1st century B.C.
Red and brown lacquer on wood

13. • A lacquer cup for wine or soup, one of
about 100 found in her tomb, depicts a
stylized cloud motif and the inscription
"junxingjiu" ("please drink").

14. • Lacquer makeup boxes

15. • Musicians, from Tomb 1 @ Mawangdui

16. • pair of seated earthenware figures playing on a
model Liubo board game, made during the 1st
century in the Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty
(25–220 AD).

17. • Maidservants, from
Tombs 1 & 3

19. • Gauze gown from Tomb 1

21. • Jade face-cover
from Western
Han tomb (not
Mawangdui)