Photos: Ancient Tomb of 'Grand Lady' Discovered in China

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Final resting place

grand lady tomb

(Image credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Cultural Relics)

Home in eternity

grand lady tomb

(Image credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Cultural Relics)

The Grand Lady was buried with many interesting artifacts including this model of a wooden house. The house has a courtyard and three rooms. Altogether it is about 34 cm (13.4 inches) wide and 19.6 cm (7.7 inches) in height. Tiny models of a table and chair were found inside the house.

Staggering detail

grand lady tomb

(Image credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Cultural Relics)

This silver pendant, found within the Grand Lady's coffin, has an image that depicts two dragons who are shown chasing pearls archaeologists say. It's about 9.4 cm (3.7 inches) long and 7.1 cm (2.8 inches) wide.

Entertainment included

grand lady tomb

(Image credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Cultural Relics)

Numerous figurines were found in the Grand Lady's tomb. The figurines of 10 female music performers who are wearing masks are shown in this photo. They are made of wood.

High society

grand lady tomb

(Image credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Cultural Relics)

This wooden figurine shows four men carrying a sedan chair. A high ranking person in China would have been carried around in a chair like this.

To protect and serve

grand lady tomb

(Image credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Cultural Relics)

The photo shows several wooden figurines, found in the tomb, that depict warriors and servants.

Beauty divine

grand lady tomb

(Image credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Cultural Relics)

One of the silver hairpins that the Grand Lady was buried with. It is 20.4 cm (8 inches) long and is in the shape of flowers and leaves.

Identifying marks

grand lady tomb

(Image credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Cultural Relics)

This banner, found on top of her coffin, has writing which identifies the tomb occupant as a "Grand Lady" who lived in "Ankang Commandery." Her name is hard to see but archaeologists believe that it may be "née Jian." She lived during the Song Dynasty, a time when art, culture and science flourished in China.

Owen Jarus
Owen Jarus
Live Science Contributor

Owen Jarus is a regular contributor to Live Science who writes about archaeology and humans' past. He has also written for The Independent (UK), The Canadian Press (CP) and The Associated Press (AP), among others. Owen has a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Toronto and a journalism degree from Ryerson University.