Post by galvatron prime on May 15, 2015 8:30:53 GMT
Gold-filled tomb of Chinese ‘superwoman' uncovered: Ming Dynasty epitaphs reveal the remarkable life of Lady Mei
Lady Mei was once a 21-year-old 'unwashed and unkempt' woman
Later in life, she became a key political and military strategic adviser
Her son was a provincial duke and a favourite of the Chinese emperor
Researchers also found gold bracelets, a fragrance box and hairpins
A tomb that tells the remarkable story of a Ming Dynasty 'superwoman' has been uncovered in Nanjing, China.
The 500-year-old burial chamber contains two stone epitaphs revealing the life of Lady Mei, a former concubine described as an 'unwashed and unkempt' woman.
Later in life, she overcame her background to become an influential adviser to her son, a provincial duke, and a favourite of the Chinese emperor.
First uncovered in 2008, the epitaphs have now been translated and published in the journal Chinese Cultural Relics.
Inscribed on the stone epitaphs are Chinese figures revealing Lady Mei died in the year 1474 at the age of 45.
Within the tomb, researchers also uncovered gold bracelets, a fragrance box and gold hairpins.
Many of these were inlaid with gemstones, including turquoise, sapphires and rubies, revealing her high social status at the time of her death.
Lady Mei was one of three wives of Mu Bin, a Duke of Qian who ruled Yunnan, according to a report in LiveScience.
She would have been about 15 years old when she married, and her husband was likely to be have been 30 years her senior.
'Lady Mei was probably a concubine whom he married after he went to guard and rule Yunnan,' wrote researchers in the journal article.
While she didn't have the same status as the Duke's other two wives, her own family was likely to have been wealthy.
Her great-great grandfather 'Cheng' was a general who 'won every battle' and was granted a fiefdom over '1,000 households,' the epitaphs claim.
Her son, Mu Zong, was =10 months old when the Duke died, making Lady Mei a single mother.
'She managed the family with strong discipline and diligence, and kept the internal domestic affairs in great order, and no one had any complaint,' the epitaphs say.
'[She] urged her son to study hard mornings and evenings, and taught him loyalty and filial devotion, as well as services of duty.'
link
www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3082435/Gold-filled-tomb-Chinese-superwoman-uncovered-Ming-Dynasty-epitaphs-reveal-remarkable-life-Lady-Mai.html#ixzz3aC5emXvF
Lady Mei was once a 21-year-old 'unwashed and unkempt' woman
Later in life, she became a key political and military strategic adviser
Her son was a provincial duke and a favourite of the Chinese emperor
Researchers also found gold bracelets, a fragrance box and hairpins
A tomb that tells the remarkable story of a Ming Dynasty 'superwoman' has been uncovered in Nanjing, China.
The 500-year-old burial chamber contains two stone epitaphs revealing the life of Lady Mei, a former concubine described as an 'unwashed and unkempt' woman.
Later in life, she overcame her background to become an influential adviser to her son, a provincial duke, and a favourite of the Chinese emperor.
First uncovered in 2008, the epitaphs have now been translated and published in the journal Chinese Cultural Relics.
Inscribed on the stone epitaphs are Chinese figures revealing Lady Mei died in the year 1474 at the age of 45.
Within the tomb, researchers also uncovered gold bracelets, a fragrance box and gold hairpins.
Many of these were inlaid with gemstones, including turquoise, sapphires and rubies, revealing her high social status at the time of her death.
Lady Mei was one of three wives of Mu Bin, a Duke of Qian who ruled Yunnan, according to a report in LiveScience.
She would have been about 15 years old when she married, and her husband was likely to be have been 30 years her senior.
'Lady Mei was probably a concubine whom he married after he went to guard and rule Yunnan,' wrote researchers in the journal article.
While she didn't have the same status as the Duke's other two wives, her own family was likely to have been wealthy.
Her great-great grandfather 'Cheng' was a general who 'won every battle' and was granted a fiefdom over '1,000 households,' the epitaphs claim.
Her son, Mu Zong, was =10 months old when the Duke died, making Lady Mei a single mother.
'She managed the family with strong discipline and diligence, and kept the internal domestic affairs in great order, and no one had any complaint,' the epitaphs say.
'[She] urged her son to study hard mornings and evenings, and taught him loyalty and filial devotion, as well as services of duty.'
link
www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3082435/Gold-filled-tomb-Chinese-superwoman-uncovered-Ming-Dynasty-epitaphs-reveal-remarkable-life-Lady-Mai.html#ixzz3aC5emXvF