Sources
Remodel of Lady DaiThis wax model depicts what Lady Dai would have looked like at the age of 30, which is now in Hunan Provincial Museum for public viewing along with the other discoveries at the site of her burial. Zhao Chengwen, a professor at the China Criminal Police College, developed the "Jingxing CCK-3 Model Human Face Mirage System" which was used to create a reconstruction of her body along with a few artefacts which were found around her tomb.
This source is unreliable to an extent, as it contradicts with the findings from the autopsy and scientific examinations made by the forensic scientists and pathologists. In the photograph it shows the model as a slim lady, although she had many health issues such as diabetes and obesity around that age. Hence, the source is unreliable to that extent, but is still an entertaining view for tourists and visitors of the museum, as it provides a brief idea of her lifestyle and the items which may been used at the time. |
Written Text
The Times of Lady Dai by Jen Elizabeth Ward published on 6th of September, 2008 is an illustrated publication combined with facts and poetry to draw readers' interest of the amazing true story of the Diva Mummy. The text outlines the excavation of the tomb at Mawangdui, the discovered artefacts and the clues of the reason behind the perfect preservation of Lady Dai. Although the text is secondary, it includes "The Civilisation of China" by Herbert Giles who established himself a respectable British sinologist of Chinese Language. With profound knowledge of Chinese culture, history and language, many deemed the sinologist's work as unquestionably accurate. Thus the text is useful and definitely reliable as it obtains information from the astounding works of Herbert Giles and after multiple comparisons between recent findings as well as facts supported by cardiologists, historians and anthropologists.
The banner (additional source)
In the inner most tomb, a banner was discovered next to Lady Dai with detailed drawings of her and many other images. There were a few analyses which interoperated the images on the banner which related to her afterlife.
It was said that the section on the right symbolised the idea that her soul would be returned after her death, to help the living back on earth, while others stated that the images may also be a prophecy for her afterlife. The creatures at the top consisted of heavenly images which represented the idea of heaven, above Lady Dai. On the other hand, underneath, were a series of creatures such as serpents which symbolised the underworld and afterlife.
In the inner most tomb, a banner was discovered next to Lady Dai with detailed drawings of her and many other images. There were a few analyses which interoperated the images on the banner which related to her afterlife.
It was said that the section on the right symbolised the idea that her soul would be returned after her death, to help the living back on earth, while others stated that the images may also be a prophecy for her afterlife. The creatures at the top consisted of heavenly images which represented the idea of heaven, above Lady Dai. On the other hand, underneath, were a series of creatures such as serpents which symbolised the underworld and afterlife.
Underworld Earth: preceding to Heaven Heaven