Xin Zhui's Tomb
Xin Zhui's Tomb, also known as Han Tomb no. 1, is a significant archaeological site located within a family burial complex in Hunan Province, China, and dates back to around 150 B.C.E. It was excavated in 1972 and is distinguished by its single-chamber crypt constructed from cypress planks, surrounded by clay and charcoal for preservation. The tomb is the final resting place of Xin Zhui, believed to be the wife of Li Cang, the marquis of Dai during the Han Dynasty. Her remarkably preserved body is displayed in a museum in Changsha, housed within four lacquer coffins.
The tomb also contained a wealth of grave goods, including silks, lacquerware, tomb figures, and food, which provide valuable insights into the artistic practices, religious beliefs, and daily life of the time. Particularly notable are the paintings on the coffins and a funeral banner, which depict scenic landscapes and stages of the funeral ceremony, reflecting the cultural traditions of the Chu civilization of the Yellow River Basin and the central Yangtze Valley. The preservation methods employed in the tomb highlight the ancient Chinese understanding of death and the afterlife, making Xin Zhui's Tomb a significant resource for studying early Chinese history and culture.
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Xin Zhui's Tomb
Related civilizations: Han Dynasty, China.
Date: c. 150 b.c.e.
Locale: Mawangdui, near Changsha, China
Xin Zhui’s Tomb
Part of a family burial complex, this single-chamber crypt, also known as Han Tomb no. 1, was first excavated in 1972. The crypt was made of cypress planks buried in a thick layer of clay and charcoal. Its occupant, Xin Zhui (SHIN JEW-ay; Wade-Giles Hsin Chui), died circa 150 b.c.e. and was probably the wife of Li Cang, the marquis of Dai, who controlled the vicinity during the Han Dynasty (206 b.c.e.-220 c.e.) and was buried nearby. She is also known as Lady (duchess of) Dai. Her perfectly preserved body, now on display in a museum in Changsha, was entombed within four lacquer coffins and was surrounded by a variety of grave goods, including silks, lacquerware, tomb figures, food, and an elaborate funeral banner. These materials provide important evidence about the contemporary Chinese lacquer industry (centered in Changsha), artistic techniques, and religious beliefs. Especially noteworthy are the successful effort to inhibit decomposition of the corpse and the desire to provide the deceased with comfort in the afterlife. The paintings on the lacquer coffins depict landscape scenes, and those on the banner represent various stages in the funeral ceremony and the afterlife of the deceased. This burial reflects the traditions of the Chu culture of the Yellow River Basin and the central Yangtze Valley.
Bibliography
Waley-Cohen, Joanna, trans. The Lacquers of the Mawangdui Tomb. Hong Kong: Oriental Ceramic Society, 1984.
Wang, Po-Yang. Imperial Mausoleums and Tombs. New York: Springer, 1998.