It is difficult to find women actively involved in the historical record, particularly in the ancient period. They are most often portrayed as present but silent, an unknowable social and economic force that certainly helped society function. In truth, this is still the case for the modern period, as household labor (cooking, cleaning, laundry, and so on) is absolutely essential for society to function and is performed mostly by women, yet remains mostly invisible when we consider a person's achievements. The reading for this Discussion Board offers a rare glimpse into the lives of ancient women. What do you think? What was it like to be a silk-worker in Han China? What were some of the major concerns these women had? What does it reveal to us about Han Period Chinese society?