Nestled amidst the vast expanse of the Taklamakan Desert, Xinjiang, China, lies a necropolis teeming with secrets from a bygone era. Within its depths, archaeologists unearthed a remarkable discovery in 2003 – the exquisitely preserved mummy of a young woman, now known as the Princess of Xiaohe. This captivating find has not only enriched our understanding of ancient civilizations but also cast a spotlight on the intricate tapestry of human migration and cultural exchange that unfolded along the Silk Road.
How were the Princess of Xiaohe mummies found ?
China’s Xinjiang Autonomous Region is part of the Silk Road, where Eastern and Western cultures intersect. Since ancient times, this place has been a bridge between people and cultures of Asia and Europe. In this area, over the years, archaeologists have discovered hundreds of mummies naturally preserved by the dry desert air.
One of the sites that scientists have focused on researching is the Tieu Ha Cemetery site. This area was first known to the world in 1934. At that time, Swedish archaeologist Bergman went to Lop Nur, Xinjiang Autonomous Region to survey. After many days of searching, Bergman actually found the mysterious cemetery with many coffins.
It was not until 2000 that archaeologists from the Xinjiang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archeology launched a search in the Lo Nur desert. With the help of a satellite navigation system, they found this buried cemetery. In 2003, archaeologists officially opened a comprehensive excavation at Tieu Ha Cemetery. Secrets hidden for 4,000 years are gradually revealed. Here, archaeologists have excavated a total of 167 tombs, of which the most famous is the tomb of the “Xinjiang princess” also known as the “Tieu Ha princess”.
They named her the Princess of Xiaohe due to her state of preservation and beauty, not her social status; there is no reason to believe she was any more important than the other mummies buried in the complex. She was part of the Xiaohe culture, and was buried around 3,800 years ago.
What does the mummy of Princess of Xiaohe look like?
According to an archeology professor at Jilin University, when excavating the tomb of “Princess Tieu Ha”, all archaeologists were shocked because the mummy was so well preserved.
The Princess has red hair and long eyelashes, with some facial features more similar to Indo-Europeans than modern people of the region she was found in, such as high cheekbones and pale skin. She seems to be smiling slightly. She was 152 cm (5 ft 0 in) tall. She was buried wearing a white felt hat, a white wool cloak with tassels, and string skirt, with fur-lined leather boots on her feet. She had a red rope necklace and a bracelet with one jade bead on her right arm.
She was buried with wooden pins and three small pouches of ephedra. Twigs and branches of ephedra were placed beside the body. Wheat and millet grains, strings made from the tendons of animals, and animal ears were spread over her body. A wooden phallic object was placed between her breasts. Like the other mummies in Xiaohe Cemetery, she was buried in a boat-shaped coffin with a standing wooden pole above it. Her grave had not been disturbed since her burial when it was found by archeologists in 2003.
Chunks of cheese were found on her neck and chest, possibly as food for the afterlife. Archeologists were initially unsure what the clumps on her body were. However, a 2014 study led by Andrej Shevchenko showed that it was cheese. The cheese found on the mummies in this cemetery is the oldest preserved cheese in the world, likely made with a kefir starter. Her entire body and boots were also coated in a white substance, likely also a dairy product but so far of unknown origin.
Where did Princess of Xiaohe come from ?
The girl has an unusual appearance with white skin, round eyes and long hair, looking more like a European than a Chinese. Xiaohe’s facial features are many different from those of Asians living at that time. Therefore, experts are curious about where this beautiful beauty comes from?
DNA test results showed her ancestry was a mix of East and West Eurasian populations. One of the hypotheses proposed is that Xiaohe came from somewhere between Southeast Europe and the Ural Mountains. Xiaohe and his community had a long settlement in the Taklamakan desert. After his death, Xiaohe was buried here.
Unraveling the Enigma of Her Smile
Later, “Princess of Xiaohe” was displayed at many exhibitions and museums. Many tourists noticed that “Princess of Xiaohe” seemed to have a smile on her face.
However, scientists say that how this smile appeared and why she has it, they have no way to verify from a scientific point of view. Perhaps posterity just needs to understand that it is a good thing that “Princess of Xiaohe” left behind for everyone, while others suggest it could be a consequence of post-mortem processes that affected her facial muscles.
Regardless of the reason behind her smile, it remains an enduring symbol of the Xiaohe Princess’s enduring allure. It’s a testament to the enduring power of human emotion, transcending the boundaries of time and culture.
Archaeologists then restored the princess’s appearance using graphics software. The portrait makes viewers admire its modern beauty. However, many people believe that when she was alive, this princess could have been many times more beautiful.
The discovery of the Princess of Xiaohe continues to spark curiosity and inspire new research. Scientists are now using advanced techniques to analyze her DNA in even greater detail, hoping to pinpoint her exact origins and shed light on the migration patterns of ancient peoples. Her legacy extends far beyond the desolate sands of the Taklamakan Desert, offering a glimpse into a forgotten world and a testament to the enduring human spirit.
