Mawangdui — Han Silk Tombs Changsha
Western Han (202 BCE–9 CE; Tomb 1 168 BCE Lady Dai)·Han Chinese (Changsha Kingdom)·🇨🇳 Hunan Province, Changsha, east suburb, Liuyang River, China
About
About Mawangdui — Han Silk Tombs Changsha
Changsha Mawangdui excavated 1972–74, Lady Dai mummy 2100 yrs, 3000 objects and Mawangdui Silk Texts (Tao Te Ching).
Why it mattersKey Han Chinese (Changsha Kingdom) tumulus with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Trade network extent
- 02Astronomical alignment
Theories
- 01Territorial marker
- 02Ceremonial centre
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 168 BCE Tomb 1 (Lady Dai Xin Zhui); 165 BCE Tomb 2; 168 BCE Tomb 3 son
- Period
- Western Han (202 BCE–9 CE; Tomb 1 168 BCE Lady Dai)
- Culture
- Han Chinese (Changsha Kingdom)
- Purpose
- Han noble tumuli with lacquered triple coffins, silk manuscripts and preserved Lady Dai mummy
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1971
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 168 BCE Tomb 1 (Lady Dai Xin Zhui); 165 BCE Tomb 2; 168 BCE Tomb 3 son
Initial construction / first occupation at Mawangdui — Han Silk Tombs Changsha
1970 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Mawangdui — Han Silk Tombs Changsha
On the ground
Structures & features
28.2080° N · 113.0220° E · 45 m · 3 mapped features
Mawangdui — Han Silk Tombs Changsha — Principal Chamber
chamberchamber at Mawangdui — Han Silk Tombs Changsha — outlier feature
28.2076° N · 113.0209° EMawangdui — Han Silk Tombs Changsha — Northern Dromos
dromosdromos at Mawangdui — Han Silk Tombs Changsha — subsidiary complex
28.2079° N · 113.0204° EMawangdui — Han Silk Tombs Changsha — Mound Annex 3
moundmound at Mawangdui — Han Silk Tombs Changsha — subsidiary complex
28.2092° N · 113.0239° E