Scientific methods and investigations
Scientific Methods to study the remains
When Lady Dai's body was taken for investigations, forensic scientists and pathologists applied a few methods to study her body;
- X-Ray -
Scientists performed an x-ray on her body for internal investigations within her body. They discovered 138 undigested melon seeds in her stomach and intestines, along with spinal issues which became a hypothesis for the cause of her death, . This conclusion was then rejected due to further research by the autopsy. Also the noblewoman endured a difficult period fighting against tuberculosis and had a fracture of the right arm as evident in the profound x rays.
Scientists performed an x-ray on her body for internal investigations within her body. They discovered 138 undigested melon seeds in her stomach and intestines, along with spinal issues which became a hypothesis for the cause of her death, . This conclusion was then rejected due to further research by the autopsy. Also the noblewoman endured a difficult period fighting against tuberculosis and had a fracture of the right arm as evident in the profound x rays.
- Autopsy -
(Examination to discover the cause of death or the extent of a disease)
Due to Lady Dai's amazing body preservation, forensic scientists and pathologists conducted an autopsy on the corpse, examining and searching for internal issues within and around the body. They discovered that an unknown translucent fluid browned the surroundings of her coffin, which caused many rashes on archaeologists' hands for months. The autopsy also discovered blocking of the coronary artery by deposits of fat. A gallstone was also found to be stuck at the opening of her bio duct. Preceding shortly after was the evidence of liver disease through the thorough procession of the examination. Overall, Lady Dai did not live a healthy lifestyle due to excessively rich diet.
(Examination to discover the cause of death or the extent of a disease)
Due to Lady Dai's amazing body preservation, forensic scientists and pathologists conducted an autopsy on the corpse, examining and searching for internal issues within and around the body. They discovered that an unknown translucent fluid browned the surroundings of her coffin, which caused many rashes on archaeologists' hands for months. The autopsy also discovered blocking of the coronary artery by deposits of fat. A gallstone was also found to be stuck at the opening of her bio duct. Preceding shortly after was the evidence of liver disease through the thorough procession of the examination. Overall, Lady Dai did not live a healthy lifestyle due to excessively rich diet.
- Gynaecological examination -
(medical research on the female reproductive system)
On December 14, 1972, surgeons from the Hunan Provincial Medical Institute examined Lady Dai's reproductive system, discovering that she had bore children in her early life.
(medical research on the female reproductive system)
On December 14, 1972, surgeons from the Hunan Provincial Medical Institute examined Lady Dai's reproductive system, discovering that she had bore children in her early life.
Dating Techniques
- Stratigraphy -
Stratigraphy is one of many dating techniques used to describe how old an object is. Stratigraphy is looking at the different layers of the Earth's crust, in other words, the description of all rock bodies forming the Earth' crust. Lady Dai was buried 50 feet below the surface, which allowed scientist/historians to roughly measure the time of the grave.
Stratigraphy is one of many dating techniques used to describe how old an object is. Stratigraphy is looking at the different layers of the Earth's crust, in other words, the description of all rock bodies forming the Earth' crust. Lady Dai was buried 50 feet below the surface, which allowed scientist/historians to roughly measure the time of the grave.
Typology
Typology is classifying according to the objects' general type, this is used in archaeology to trace back the time when the object was made and compare those objects to similar ones which can conclude to roughly what year it was from. Lady Dai's belongings were dated using typology.
Typology is classifying according to the objects' general type, this is used in archaeology to trace back the time when the object was made and compare those objects to similar ones which can conclude to roughly what year it was from. Lady Dai's belongings were dated using typology.
Forensic Analysis of the body
Her body
When the forensic scientists and pathologist examined her body, they discovered that the body was still in the same state as an recent corpse due to the flawless preservation of her body. Her organs such as brain, lungs, nerves, veins and hair were still intact. Several diseases were distinguished in the body such as; diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver disease, and gallstones as well as the discovery of 138 undigested melon seeds in her stomach and intestines which were detected by the x-ray.
As the pathologists further examined the body, x-rays revealed that she had a fused disc in her spine, which would have caused back pain and clogged the coronary arteries. They came to the conclusion that her most fatal condition was observed to be 'Atherosclerosis'(the narrowing of the arteries), which were discovered to be due to excessive food consumption and lazy lifestyle. The autopsy detected that her coronary artery which was connected to her heart, was almost completely blocked, leading an assumed death of a heart attack.
When the forensic scientists and pathologist examined her body, they discovered that the body was still in the same state as an recent corpse due to the flawless preservation of her body. Her organs such as brain, lungs, nerves, veins and hair were still intact. Several diseases were distinguished in the body such as; diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver disease, and gallstones as well as the discovery of 138 undigested melon seeds in her stomach and intestines which were detected by the x-ray.
As the pathologists further examined the body, x-rays revealed that she had a fused disc in her spine, which would have caused back pain and clogged the coronary arteries. They came to the conclusion that her most fatal condition was observed to be 'Atherosclerosis'(the narrowing of the arteries), which were discovered to be due to excessive food consumption and lazy lifestyle. The autopsy detected that her coronary artery which was connected to her heart, was almost completely blocked, leading an assumed death of a heart attack.
What did we learn about the past from the study of the body?
Over 1400 artefacts were found in the Sleeping Beauty's tomb. The objects included lacquered pottery vessels, 46 bolts of silk tapestries, makeup, miniature wooden figures of servants, recipes, books, food, wine and musical instruments including a 125 string zither. Notably two thirds of the artefacts were food and drinks. The Lady's favour of eating in style is also evident in her collection of the largest lacquer dinnerware ever found. Thirty sealed bamboo baskets were also packed, inside were thousands of pears, plums, soybeans, bones of pigs, oxen, dogs, pheasants and ten other animals.
The feast and funeral objects were to ensure Lady Dai be accustomed to the same lifestyle in her afterlife. From the grand delicacies, archaeologists concluded overly rich sustenance were readily available for affluent classes. Also archaeologists discovered the aristocrat's tendency to eat vast amounts of swans, sliced lotus and sparrows. Noticeably, in modern Chinese cuisines, the basic ingredients of peculiar animals still composed of dogs, pheasants, swans and sparrows meant the evolution of forwarding further nourishment in Chinese dishes, thanks to the existent recipes in the ancient times such as the Han Dynasty.
The feast and funeral objects were to ensure Lady Dai be accustomed to the same lifestyle in her afterlife. From the grand delicacies, archaeologists concluded overly rich sustenance were readily available for affluent classes. Also archaeologists discovered the aristocrat's tendency to eat vast amounts of swans, sliced lotus and sparrows. Noticeably, in modern Chinese cuisines, the basic ingredients of peculiar animals still composed of dogs, pheasants, swans and sparrows meant the evolution of forwarding further nourishment in Chinese dishes, thanks to the existent recipes in the ancient times such as the Han Dynasty.
Also archaeologists and historians discovered the notion that afterlife was an obsession especially in the Han Dynasty. Since the complete burial of Lady Dai was so carefully conducted and with significant fortune as well as consumption of time.
Why was Lady Dai preserved to such a prefect extent?
Ancient Chinese had the sentiment, what was the point to indulge an eternal banquet yet your limbs were damaged or apart, preventing the luxurious comfort? It was a necessity then to ensure the body was intact. The pilgrimage to afterlife should be carried out with a complete package of the body. Thus the flawless corpse displayed in Hunan Provincial Museum today is the by product of the obsession of immortality in paradise existent in the ancient Han dynastic society.
Why was Lady Dai preserved to such a prefect extent?
Ancient Chinese had the sentiment, what was the point to indulge an eternal banquet yet your limbs were damaged or apart, preventing the luxurious comfort? It was a necessity then to ensure the body was intact. The pilgrimage to afterlife should be carried out with a complete package of the body. Thus the flawless corpse displayed in Hunan Provincial Museum today is the by product of the obsession of immortality in paradise existent in the ancient Han dynastic society.
Thirdly, Lady Dai's costly taste for lacquer instead of bronze displayed the inhumane nature of the past society. "A lacquered cup required the effort of 100 men to make and cost 10 times more than one made of bronze."[Sue Manning] Most readers' first sentiment would no doubt be, "this only exhibits the affluence of the deceased." Although others would realise raw lacquer is toxic, potters were at the risk of being deformed perhaps even death. Thus human nature was not as evident and highly regarded as it is in modern society's morals and ethics.
The example also demonstrated a clear hierarchical and oppressive Han dynastic society. If you were a peasant, you work in spite of death hovering to collect you whilst the aristocrats enjoy their feast until heart disease as of deposits of fat became their downfall. Ironic isn't it?
The example also demonstrated a clear hierarchical and oppressive Han dynastic society. If you were a peasant, you work in spite of death hovering to collect you whilst the aristocrats enjoy their feast until heart disease as of deposits of fat became their downfall. Ironic isn't it?
Next, the magnificence of the tomb surprised many archaeologists. Although Lady Dai was " a member of a major ruling family" [narrator of The Diva Mummy], she was just a woman. In ancient Chinese dynasties, women were considered simply a display object belonged to men, yet she was highly respectable even after her death. The tomb was not raided, yet she was also a widow but this did not prevent prosperity, reputation nor respect while she was alive. This is also crucial evidence of the society during the Han Dynasty. Comparatively, Han Dynasty composed of peace and prosperity. After the unification of China by the first Emperor, Qin Shi Huang in 221BCE, citizens finally had a taste of harmony. In conclusion there was a sense of indulging in life's finest as evident in the lavishing objects found in Lady Dai's elegant tomb.
Finally the T shaped silk banner draped over the noblewoman's inner coffin is the earliest indication of Chinese portrait painting. The banner depicts three mortal stages of Lady Dai: Paradise, Earth and Hell.There are three vertical realms of the banner: Yin, Combination and Yang.(left to right)
From the intricate banner, archaeologists were offered a look in the past procession of funeral practices. It was found the fabric was to be carried by relatives during the mourning and later spread upon her coffin before sealing the tomb. Overall the banner was a bell to call upon the spirit (hun) so they will recognise themselves in the the portrait painting and proceed on the pilgrimage to heaven.
Finally the T shaped silk banner draped over the noblewoman's inner coffin is the earliest indication of Chinese portrait painting. The banner depicts three mortal stages of Lady Dai: Paradise, Earth and Hell.There are three vertical realms of the banner: Yin, Combination and Yang.(left to right)
From the intricate banner, archaeologists were offered a look in the past procession of funeral practices. It was found the fabric was to be carried by relatives during the mourning and later spread upon her coffin before sealing the tomb. Overall the banner was a bell to call upon the spirit (hun) so they will recognise themselves in the the portrait painting and proceed on the pilgrimage to heaven.