Mawangdui Han Tombs
Located in the eastern suburb of Changsha City, the world famous Mawangdui Han Tombs is one of the most fascinating attractions in Hunan Province. It is no exaggeration to say that the Mawangdui Han Tombs is an open book to the glorious West Han Dynasty (206BC-24). All three tombs were excavated between 1972 and 1974. According to research, the tombs were a family graveyard around 2,000 years ago. Number 1 and Number 3 tombs were in excellent condition when excavated and Number 1 is the largest among the three. Number 1 and Number 2 tombs have been in-filled. Number 3 tomb has been preserved and covered by a ceiling for the benefit of the visitors.
More than 3,000 relics have been unearthed from the tombs such as silk products, silk books, silk paintings, lacquer works, potteries, bamboo slips used for writing, weapons and herbs. The number of the lacquer works is the largest, including ancient cooking vessels, boxes, kettles, plates and folding screens. Red or black colors were painted on them. Most of the pottery contained. The mouths of the containers were tightly stuffed by grass and mud. Bamboo brands with the name of the food were tied on the outside of the containers' necks. There are wooden tomb figurines, both clothed and unclothed because they had different social statuses according the strict ranking system during the West Han Dynasty. The silk clothes from Number 1 tomb are in a variety of styles and of fine workmanship. One of the most outstanding representatives is a silk coat which is as light as the mist and as fine as gossamer. It is 1.28 meters (about 1.40 yards) in length with a pair of long sleeves, but weighs only 49 grams. The coffin excavated from Number 1 tomb is decorated with odd images of animals and gods on its lacquered surface and has a relatively high artistic value.
A map excavated from Number 2 tomb provided another surprise. Its drawing technique is very advanced with place marks very similar to a modern map. It was praised as a “striking discovery” by foreigners when exhibited in America, Japan, Poland and many other countries.
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