Other name: Xin Zhui Dynasty: Han Dynasty Married to: Li Cang Buried: Mawangdui, China Age at death: 50 years old Age now: approximately 2,200 Location: Hunan Museum, Changsha
In 1971 when workers were digging an air raid shelter for the cold war in Mawangdui, they unearthed an ancient tomb. The owner was Xin Zhui, commonly known as Lady Dai. She is the best preserved ancient body in the world, even surpassing the Egyptians. All her organs, skin and hair were intact, there was blood in her veins and her joints were flexible to a certain degree. Her morticians preserved her body very thoroughly. She was buried deep in the ground with charcoal, moisture blocking clay, protected in four tight coffins, wrapped in layers of silk and an unknown liquid was poured on top of her body. Lady Dai's body is a snapshot of the past in the Han Dynasty, China. Because her body was well preserved they conducted tests as if it was a recent corpse. With the evidence extracted from Lady Dai and her tomb the scientists were able to map out her life.