Xin Zhui
Under the name Marquise of Dai Dai or Lady of the Chinese aristocrat Xin Zhui (Chinese辛追, Pinyin Xin Zhui ) is known, that lived during the Han Dynasty around the year 160 BC and AD at the age of about 50 years, died. Your mummy is valid since the discovery of her grave chamber in 1971 as one of the world's best preserved.
Life
Xin Zhui was the wife of Li Cang (利 苍/利 苍, Lì Cang ), the Chancellor of the State of Changsha and Marquis / Marquis of Dai (軑 侯/轪 侯, Dài HOU).
Health status and cause of death
Xin Zhui fed on unhealthy and suffering from obesity; she weighed about 75 kilograms with a size of about 154 cm. The autopsy of her mummy revealed that their coronary arteries were severely narrowed. Moreover, gallstones and parasites were found, such as tapeworms in the intestines and whipworms. Radiographs show a herniated disc in the lumbar spine, which is why Xin Zhui movement problems may have had ( on an outstretched over her coffin silk blanket is illustrated with a cane ).
Shortly before her death, ate Xin Zhui heavier food, whereupon dissolved gallstones after a few hours. One of them remained in the opening of the bile duct stuck and caused acute, severe pain, which led to death in connection with the existing circuit load by obesity and the already weakened heart.
Grave and mummy
Xin Zhuis grave was discovered in 1971 by pioneers of the People's Liberation Army in the Mawangdui archaeological site near the Chinese city of Changsha. The grave is in the shape of an upside-down pyramid. The actual grave chamber is 12 meters below the surface, she was surrounded by 5 tons of charcoal and a one meter thick layer of clay. A 15 meter high mound formed the upper end of the grave.
In the grave more than 1000 items were found more than two thirds served Xin Zhuis haworth. In thirty bamboo baskets food supplies were stored. It also recipes were found that indicate Xin Zhuis favorite foods. For meals were large quantities of dishes available. Small figures should represent servants.
Xin Zhui was wrapped in silk, placed in four painted coffins and surrounded by a wooden casing. Thus, the body was protected from air and bacteria. The innermost coffin was filled with 80 liters of an unknown liquid, which could have also countered the decomposition. The painting of wooden coffins prevented the ingress of water.
In a post-mortem examination of Xin Zhui blood was found in the veins, and the internal organs were in a state, as otherwise, applies only where recently deceased. Your joints were movable and the skin elastic.
Public
Xin Zhuis mummy and objects from her grave are exhibited in Hunan Provincial Museum.
The history of the discovery and investigations of the mummy of the "Lady of Dai " was in 2004 by the New Zealander Steven R. Talley in the documentary prepared The mystery of Lady Dai.