Mawangdui — Han Silk Tombs Changsha

Why it mattersKey Han Chinese (Changsha Kingdom) tumulus with stratified sequence and regional typology.

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

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

1. 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

2. 1970 excavation

   Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Mawangdui — Han Silk Tombs Changsha

• Mawangdui — Han Silk Tombs Changsha — Principal Chamber

  chamber

  chamber at Mawangdui — Han Silk Tombs Changsha — outlier feature

  28.2076° N · 113.0209° E

• Mawangdui — Han Silk Tombs Changsha — Northern Dromos

  dromos

  dromos at Mawangdui — Han Silk Tombs Changsha — subsidiary complex

  28.2079° N · 113.0204° E

• Mawangdui — Han Silk Tombs Changsha — Mound Annex 3

  mound

  mound at Mawangdui — Han Silk Tombs Changsha — subsidiary complex

  28.2092° N · 113.0239° E