The document summarizes the discovery of three tombs from the Han Dynasty in Changsha, China. In 1971, troops drilling for a new hospital unearthed flammable gas, which locals believed indicated a "fire tomb". Archaeological excavation from 1972-1973 uncovered three tombs containing well-preserved artifacts. Tomb 1 contained the body of Lady Dai, a noblewoman who died in 163 BC. The tombs held burial goods including philosophy, divination, medicine, and military texts along with maps. One item dated the burial to 168 BC, indicating it belonged to a powerful noble family from that era.

1. Ancient China – Xia
The Wet Mummy of Lady Dai

2. Changsha, Capital of Hunan Province

3. Changsha, Capital of Hunan Province

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

7. Tomb 1 Tomb 2 Tomb 3

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

10. Texts: Philosophy, Divination,
Medicine, Military Arts

12. Maps: Prefecture, Topographic &
Military

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