500-years-old Korean woman discovered

They were traditionally buried with their most treasured possessions to take with them into their afterlife.

And for this female mummy, her most important item was her handbag.

The corpse of the Korean woman, which is thought to date back 500 years, was also discovered with her finest clothes as well as a the intricate satchel and ornaments.

Researchers at the Seogyeong Cultural Properties Research Institute in Seoul believe the woman was the wife of a high-level government official during the Joseon Dynasty and who died during the 16th century.

Early analysis of the wooden coffin in which she was interred has revealed characters which indicate she was a woman of importance.