The Discovered Body & Tomb of Lady Xin, the Marquise of Dai

Lady Xin, the Marquise of Dai, was a woman who lived long ago during the reign of the Han dynasty. This extraordinary dynasty lasted over 400 years from about (206 BC- 24 AD), ruled by the prominent family known as the Liu Clan. The Marquise of Dai, existed in a time period that the people of China feel is one of the greatest, prosperous, and most peaceful, periods of Chinese history. The Hans dynasty flourished domestically and agriculturally. Twentieth century archaeologists and scientists were able to take a lingering look into the life of Lady Xin, through her well preserved body and the astonishing relics left behind in her tomb.

The Lady of Dai, married to Li Cang, the prime minister of Changsha, saw to it that his wife had only the finest luxuries. As a member of the newly elevated aristocracy of the Western Han, he had acquired great wealth. Lady Xin, born Xin Zhui, was no common woman. Her life had to be one of great ease and pleasure. Her tomb boasted silently, testifying to this fact. The evidence of rich gourmet foods, exquisite silks, the small cavalry of servants, and ear tickling music she indulged in were some of the items packed away neatly in her tomb for over 2,100 years.

In 1972, archaeologists were called to excavate a sight and stumbled upon the most captivating discovery. The burial place of the Dai family Li Cang, Lady Xin and their grown son had been discovered. This find would allow the world to understand Han culture and its luxury seeking elite. The most miraculous moment for the archaeologists, was the sight of Lady Xin. Her body was in a mummified type state. Scientists were baffled at how a body buried in central China for over 2,000 years ago could be left intact. It was the best preserved ancient human remains ever found. Lady Xin's skin was pliant and her limbs were mobile. Her hair was still firmly rooted into her scalp. Her internal organs proved to be in perfect condition. A condition so well maintained that pathologists were able to perform an autopsy.

The Autopsy Revealed

The Marquise was laid in a coffin wrapped in 20 layers of silk fabric and robes secured on the outside with 9 silk ribbons. The bundle neatly tied was then covered with two quilts, one with yellow gauze, the other a deep red silk, embroidered in patterns that symbolize longevity. The corpse was x-rayed at Hunan Medical College. Experts from all across China traveled to this college, to examine the astounding 2,100 year old remains.

The autopsy revealed, Lady Xin was an overweight woman who died in her 50's. Her blood was type A. The results showed she had bore children early in life. Her lungs scarred, was a sign that she had once endured a bout of tuberculosis. Gall stones, and intestinal parasites had affected her health. She undoubtedly, endured pain from the natural of effects of aging. The Lady of Dai, also had a fracture that was set poorly in her right arm. The autopsy exposed a degenerated disk in her lower back which had deformed her spine. An interesting fact was recovered from Lady Xin's esophagus, stomach, and intestines. One hundred and thirty- eight musk melon seeds were lodged in these areas of the body. This indicated shortly after consuming the melon, in an instant she died. The most serious condition observed was atherosclerosis (the narrowing of the arteries). This condition is associated with the consumption of fatty foods and leading a sedentary lifestyle. It would be safe to assume Lady Xin led this type of life. The principal vessel which supplies oxygen to the heart, the left coronary artery, was almost totally blocked. These key facts led American cardiologist Tsung O. Cheng, who studied the marquise's autopsy reports in 1973, to conclude this fine lady died of a heart attack. Apparently, her physicians knew of this condition, because found in her tomb was herbal medicine. Cinnamon, magnolia bark, and peppercorns, was the antidote left for her to carry into her afterlife. These same traditional remedies are prescribed by Chinese herbalists in this day and age.

A Well Sealed Tomb

Lady Xin died a widow and a bereaved mother. Her son was buried 18 years after her husband Li Cang. After her body was placed in a coffin, then sheathed in silk with a draped funeral banner, the coffin was placed inside a second coffin. The second coffin was fit inside of a third coffin. The caskets within caskets were put inside a compartment in the center of a funnel shaped, clay lined, massive cypress, burial vault. Four other compartments held the foods that were buried meticulously, as well as inventoried on 312 slips of bamboo. Five tons of moisture absorbing charcoal was packed around the vault. The top was sealed with 3 feet of additional clay. Hard rammed pieces of earth filled the shaft all the way to the surface.

The state of preservation was more than likely due to the dense clay, absorbent charcoal, and temperature. No substance of any kind was able to get in or out of the sealed tomb. Decay-causing bacteria trapped inside would quickly die because of the lack of oxygen. Destructive ground water could not penetrate the sturdy barriers. The result of such diligent hard work that went into sealing and protecting, the late Lady Xin, was a cool, highly humid, almost sterile, environment. Her body stopped deteriorating and the belongings buried alongside her remained in pristine condition.

Precious Valuables

It was prohibited in Lady Xin's day to bury gold, bronze, or silver with the dead. The tomb contained no precious metals. In the second century BC, the Chinese had been raising silk worms. The silk worms were used for cloth for more than 1,000 years. China's monopoly on silk made it plentiful for the rich and wealthy to revel in it. Silk was used to make grand entrance type garments with exquisite, embroidered, detailing. Sheets, tapestries, and a vast majority of other items were designed from silk.

Inside Lady Xin's tomb was a complete wardrobe. More than 100 well preserved fine silk garments were preserved. The wardrobe stocked into her tomb contained underwear, night dresses, or (night gowns), coats, robes, skirts, gloves, slippers, and socks. In addition to the clothing, there were 46 rolls of uncut silk fabric. This was enough to keep many generations of tailors and seamstresses sewing and stitching new clothes for many years to come.

A Fortune in Lacquerware

The 182 pieces of lacquerware left behind, in Lady of Dai's tomb, expressed the expensive taste of the Dai family. These objects were regarded as the most precious of all manufactured goods. The value was greater than items made of bronze. It took as many as 100 artisans to craft the thin wood base, and then apply multiple layers of shiny, gleaming lacquer. The intricate decoration was then added. The matching deep black and bold red lacquer housewares hidden in the Marquise's tomb was the largest, most diverse collection. The plates, bowels and tray pieces used for traditional dining were there, but additional pieces made the collection outstanding. Vases, basins, arm rests, toilet boxes, small screens used for decorations and for protection against cool drafts were all a part of the hidden treasures sealed in Lady Xin's burial vault. The unique atmosphere created in the tomb kept the collection almost perfect. Old lacquerware usually dries up or shrivels, completely diminishing into a crumbling disaster. The pieces in this set remained just as lustrous as the day they were sealed inside the crypt.

Food for a Feast

The Marquise of Dai enjoyed an array of foods and fine cuisine prepared by her personal chefs. Thirty bamboo cases and several dozen pottery containers held all of the necessary ingredients to prepare meals. Wheat, lentils, lotus roots, strawberries, pears, dates, plums, pork, venison, beef, lamb, hare, dog; goose, duck, chicken, pheasant, turtledove, sparrow, crane, and owl were found in the pottery containers. Fresh fish caught presumably from the Dai family's own fish ponds was among the extensive list of food. Carp, bream, perch, and mandarin fish accompanied by directions on the 312 bamboo slips listing the contents of the tomb. There were long detailed notes on the fundamental culinary principles. Lady Xin's favorite seasonings and spices such as soy, honey, and salt were written down. Classic recipes, cooking, and preserving techniques were on the bamboo slips. A lacquerware tray still held serving dishes with desiccated food, but recognizable dishes. One dish contained chicken drumsticks, another spareribs, and morsels of fish. Slender chopsticks were lined up near the food that was over 2,000 years old. Forty eggs managed to survive centuries in a 19 inch long bamboo case. Other containers held fruit such as plums and withered pears. Of the 48 bamboo cases, 30 held a banquet of food. The rest of the cases held packed textiles, herbal medicine, and household furniture. The detailed lists left behind allowed modern scholars to get an idea of what kind of foods the Han's ruling elite ate. The common people of this time period ate nothing of the sort. Their diet had basic wheat, millet, barley, and soybeans.

Grooming Utensils

Cosmetic accessories used only by high ranking Han ladies were packed in a partitioned cosmetic case. The upper compartment held a scarf, a belt, a mirror case, and 3 pairs of silk mittens. The small boxes contained face powder, rouge to adorn the cheeks, priceless hair ornaments, combs, brushes, and even a long hair piece. A wooden bristle makeup brush, decorated hair pin, a pair of tweezers, and a fine tooth comb, were all accounted for.

Statuette Servants

The Marquise of Dai, was buried with 162 carved wooden figures that represented the large army of servants who assisted her until death. Most of the small statuettes were 18 - 20 inches high. These servants probably represented the lower ranked servants that completed duties such as housekeeping, tending to crops, taking care of the animals, along with duties in the kitchen to prepare feasts for the Dai family, and other tedious tasks one was asked to perform. Eighteen of the figurines were larger. The size of these high ranking servants was approximately 30 inches tall. The statuettes had on fabric outfits. Two were well dressed men servants, perhaps household officials. Ten female statuettes had outfits made of silk, indicating close personal attendants or ladies in waiting. Eight of the tall figurines represented musicians and dancers. A chamber ensemble carved out of wooden musicians, held tiny replicas of the instruments in which their living counterparts entertained the Dai household with.

The wealthy people of Changsha hoped that carrying items that brought pleasure while still living would bring about the same solace and peace in the afterlife. Lady Xin, the Marquise of Dai, is now housed in the state of the art Hunan Museum. Visitors flock from all over the world to share in gazing at the amazing sight of a Lady Xin's well preserved body and the intriguing pieces of Chinese history left in her tomb.

Resource: Lost Civilizations: China's Buried Kingdoms By Time Life Books