At Home in Her Tomb: Lady Dai and the Ancient Chinese Treasures of Mawangdui

The body of Lady Dai of Mawangdui (mah-wahng-dway) was so remarkably preserved that scientists were able to perform an autopsy--more than two thousand years after her death. They discovered 138-1/2 muskmelon seeds in her digestive tract. All her internal organs were in place. Her skin was soft and moist. When archaeologists excavated the tombs of Lady Dai and her family, they unearthed a treasure chest--and a time capsule. Miniature servants, mysterious silk paintings, and scrolls holding forgotten secrets give us clues to daily life in ancient China.