The Princess of Xiaohe

The Princess of Xiaohe

From Past Lives by Patrick Wyman

June 3, 2026 · 28 min · Season 2 · Episode 20

About this episode

The episode explores the life and burial of the Princess of Xiaohe, an ancient woman found in the Tarim Basin.

Nearly 4,000 years ago, a young woman was buried in the sands of the Tarim Basin in western China. When her coffin was opened just a few decades ago, her face was almost perfectly preserved. We know her as the Princess of Xiaohe, but what was her world really like? Become a member now at www.patreon.com/cw/PastLivesMedia. You'll get access to the Past Lives Discord server and four pieces of bonus content per month (including a historian interview, book club, Q and A, and a sources and evidence discussion). Past Lives is a 100-percent independent production, and your support is what allows us to make this show. So, thank you.

People in this episode

Host: Patrick Wyman

Topics covered

  • ancient history
  • archaeology
  • cultural preservation
  • China
  • Tarim Basin
  • burial practices

Keywords

  • Princess of Xiaohe
  • Tarim Basin
  • ancient China
  • archaeology
  • burial
  • cultural history
  • preservation

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Princess of Xiaohe

Places: Tarim Basin, China

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