At Home in Her Tomb: Lady Dai and the Ancient Chinese Treasures of Mawangdui

Reviewed by: Sybil Shiland - MSAD# 6, Standish, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 14, 2015

Review

In 1972 a tomb was unearthed near Changsha, China. Nested coffins were painstakingly opened to reveal the well preserved body of a woman wrapped in yards of silk. This was Lady Dai, who died around 158 BCE - she was the wife of the wealthy Marquis of Dai and her tomb is a cultural treasure chest.

This well researched book offers a great deal of information about the cultural practices during the time of the Han dynasty. Young readers will be drawn into each chapter by a fictional account of a scene in Lady Dai's life, the authors then cite objects from the tomb and archeological findings that support their theories. The text is supported by clear photographs, labeled drawings, maps and timelines. A glossary, bibliography, and index are included.

Overall Book Score: excellent