Hunan Provincial Museum

Changsha, Hunan

The current museum building was constructed in 1999. It is located in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province. The museum displays objects from the nearby Mawangdui Tombs. These tombs contain the burials of Marquis Li Cang of Dai (Tomb no. 2, 186 BC); his wife Lady Dai (Tomb no.1, ca. 168 BC); and an unnamed male who was probably their son (Tomb no. 3, 168 BC). Because 186 and 168 are easily transposed, readers should be alert to frequent errors about these dates in the literature. Due to a favorable combination of environmental and technical factors associated with her burial, the body and grave goods of Lady Dai were exceptionally well-preserved. See the museum website for additional information.