The deliberate placement of the food, the positioning of the horses in their full harnesses, the orientation of the body facing east — these choices were made by specific people 2,500 years ago, for reasons that reflected their beliefs and their love for whoever this woman was.

Her community was grieving.

They were preparing a member of their elite — perhaps a spiritual leader, perhaps a beloved figure of rank, perhaps a woman whose tattoos marked her as someone of particular significance — for whatever they believed came after death.

They provisioned her well.

They gave her food and serving vessels.

They gave her horses.

They dressed her in the finest clothing available — including silk from across the world.

They placed her golden-bird headdress on her head.