SAEDNEWS: The internal organs of a mummy have remained intact and well-preserved even after thousands of years.
According to Saed News’ society service, citing Young Journalists Club, a 2,000-year-old mummy has remained remarkably well-preserved, with its internal organs intact even after millennia. When you hear the word “mummy,” you probably imagine a shriveled, barely recognizable body. However, the mummy of Lady Dai has stayed astonishingly intact for over 2,000 years.
Lady Dai, also known as Xin Zhui, lived between 145 and 178 BCE. She passed away during that period, but when her tomb was accidentally discovered in 1971, researchers could hardly believe that her body had remained so well-preserved over thousands of years.
Based on the artifacts and belongings buried with Lady Dai, it is evident that she was a wealthy woman of her time. Yet, what truly surprised researchers was the extraordinary preservation of her body. Not only was her skin still supple and her eyelashes intact, but blood was also still flowing in her veins.
Even her mummified organs, including the nerves of her lungs, remained preserved. Examination revealed over 100 undigested melon seeds in her esophagus, stomach, and intestines, indicating that she had eaten melon just one hour before her death.
Lady Dai’s wealth likely contributed to the exceptional preservation of her body. Her corpse was wrapped in 18 layers of silk and linen garments. Her coffin contained a strange clear liquid that turned brown when exposed to oxygen. While some believe this liquid was simply her bodily fluids, others suggest it was a traditional herbal solution designed to preserve her body.
Despite her wealth, researchers determined that Lady Dai had been ill. Examination revealed that she died of a heart attack. Blood clots remaining in her veins provided clear evidence. She was about 50 years old at the time of her death—a relatively young age for passing away even in ancient times—but not surprising considering her health. Lady Dai suffered from heart disease, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gallstones, and liver disease.
Her unhealthy lifestyle, combined with her privileged status, likely contributed to her health issues. Reports indicate that, surrounded by wealth and attendants, she never needed to exert herself physically.
Today, Lady Dai’s mummy is on display at the Hunan Provincial Museum. Even after 2,000 years, she appears remarkably lifelike, offering a rare and fascinating glimpse into ancient China.
