1. Xin Zhui was the wife of Li Cang, the Marquis of Dai, and Chancellor of the Changsha Kingdom, during the Western Han dynasty of ancient China.
16 Facts About Xin Zhui
1. 2.
Xin Zhui's tomb, containing her well-preserved remains and 1,400 artifacts, was discovered in 1971 at Mawangdui, Changsha, Hunan, China.
3.
Xin Zhui's body is notable as being one of the most well preserved mummies ever found.
4.
Xin Zhui is thought to have lived a wealthy lifestyle.
5.
Xin Zhui had private musicians for entertainment who would play for her parties as well as for her personal amusement.
6.
Xin Zhui suffered from gallstones, one of which lodged in her bile duct and further deteriorated her condition.
7.
Xin Zhui's arteries were found to be heavily congested, leading to congestive heart failure.
8.
Xin Zhui died at approximately 50 years of age in 169 or 168 BC.
9.
Xin Zhui's body was found within four rectangular pine constructs that sat inside one another which were buried beneath layers of charcoal and white clay.
10.
The feathers stuck to the coffin were expressing the hopes that Xin Zhui would grow feathers on the body and enter the heavens to become immortal.
11.
Xin Zhui's skin was soft and moist, with muscles that still allowed for her arms and legs to flex at the joints.
12.
Much of what is known about Xin Zhui's lifestyle was derived from this and other examinations.
13.
Two from the same time period as Xin Zhui; they belong to a male official named Sui Xiaoyuan found in Jingzhou and a noblewoman named Ling Huiping found in Lianyungang.
14.
Besides having some of the best preserved human remains ever discovered in China, the contents of Xin Zhui's tomb revealed much information about life in the Han dynasty that was previously unknown.
15.
Scientists in 2003 developed a "secret compound" that was injected into Xin Zhui's still existing blood vessels to assure her preservation.
16.
The woman on the top is possibly Xin Zhui herself drawn in imitation of Nuwa or the snake-like spirits next to her who could have been inspired by Nuwa, in the process of becoming a xian.