The terrifying mystery that makes archaeologists afraid to excavate the tomb of Qin Shi Huang

An NhiSep 12, 2024 at 17:17

 4  |  1 Discuss  |  Report

Follow on

Areas of Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum have been explored by archaeologists, but the main tomb has never been opened due to concerns about what's inside, according to Insider.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who unified China and ruled over vast territories from 221-210 BC, has attracted the attention and interest of scientists, archaeologists and the public, especially after the accidental discovery of the Terracotta Army guarding his tomb in 1974.

The tomb is located in Lam Dong district, 30km northeast of present-day Xi'an, and was built over a period of 38 years – from 246 BC (when he was just 13 years old, while he was king of a smaller region) – until 208 BC, two years after his deat.h. The cause may have been mercury poisonin.g.

Qin Shi Huang was an ambitious emperor. Historical records sho.w that he was obsessed with drinking mercury to achieve immortality. He often drank wine laced with mercury and may have died of mercury poisonin.g at the ag.e of 49, BBC reported.

The terrifying mystery that makes archaeologists afraid to excavate the tomb of Qin Shi Huang - Photo 1

While much of the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum has been explored by archaeologists, the interior of the 2,200-year-old mausoleum remain.s a mystery to this day. Scientists have not dared to enter the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, despite the fact that it promises to contain valuable historical information.

Recent surveys have shown that the underground mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang is 260m long from east to west and 160m wide from north to south. With a total area of 41,600 square meters, it is the largest mausoleum in the Qin and Han dynasties, its size is equivalent to 5 international football fields.

The terrifying mystery that makes archaeologists afraid to excavate the tomb of Qin Shi Huang - Photo 2

According to Ancient Origins, 2,200 years ago, Emperor Qin Shi Huang was the first to unify China, after the tumultuous Warring States period. Qin Shi Huang constantly sent people to search for the elixir of life, but was also busy building his own tomb.

A 2017 study by Chinese archaeologists, based on ancient texts, found that China's first emperor always wanted to live forever. Ancient documents say that local officials reported not finding the elixir of life, but would continue to search. Elsewhere, there was a mysterious herb that might be effective.

In fact, the construction of Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum began before he ascended the throne. When he took power at the ag.e of 13, he immediately ordered the construction of his eternal resting place. But it was only when Qin Shi Huang became emperor that the mausoleum construction was accelerated and expanded.

It is estimated that 700,000 people were involved in the construction of the mausoleum in Shaanxi province, which took 38 years to complete. It is worth noting that the mausoleum was only truly completed after Qin Shi Huang's deat.h.

The terrifying mystery that makes archaeologists afraid to excavate the tomb of Qin Shi Huang - Photo 3

Today, information about the Chinese emperor's tomb is found in the records of the Han Dynasty historian, Sima Qian. It is a burial chamber filled with rare treasures collected from all over.

Inside the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, there are models of large and small rivers on the ground, made to look real thanks to mercury. Sima Qian also mentioned the night sky sparkling with the moonlight and stars from the glowing pearls used to decorate the dome of the mausoleum.

To protect the mausoleum and help the emperor rest in peace, ancient people built a series of traps including crossbows, automatic arrow launchers... These weapons were designed to kill anyone who dared to trespass.

"Craftsmen were ordered to make crossbows and arrows to shoot at anyone who entered the tomb. Poisonous mercury was used to simulate the great rivers (such as the Yangtze River, the Yellow River, and the Great Sea) surrounding the tomb to protect the emperor's sleep," wrote historian Sima Qian.

The terrifying mystery that makes archaeologists afraid to excavate the tomb of Qin Shi Huang - Photo 4

Qin Shi Huang's son also ordered his childless concubines to be buried alive so that they could join him in the afterlife. After the burial ceremony, the entrance to the mausoleum was sealed. Those involved in the construction were also locked inside so that no one could reveal the secret. Finally, plants were planted on the mausoleum to form an artificial hill.

It wasn't until 2,000 years later that a group of Chinese farmers accidentally unearthed a terracotta warrior. A massive excavation revealed a 2,000-man terracotta army. But that was just the exterior of the tomb.

Archaeologists estimate there are up to 8,000 terracotta statues inside the emperor's eternal resting place, which has never been excavated.

The terrifying mystery that makes archaeologists afraid to excavate the tomb of Qin Shi Huang - Photo 5

China has no plans to excavate the tomb of Qin Shi Huang. More than 2,200 years have passed, but it is likely that the traps are still active. Another concern is the high levels of mercury in the underground palace. Mercury is a highly toxic substance that can be fatal even in small amounts.

Besides, current technology is not enough to explore the vast ancient tomb. Just exposin.g the artifacts to sunlight and air is enough to completely destroy them.

Experts say that recklessly excavating the resting place of Qin Shi Huang could upset the balance of the underground structure, causing unpredictable damage. That is why China has so far not ventured to open the tomb's seal.

The terrifying mystery that makes archaeologists afraid to excavate the tomb of Qin Shi Huang - Photo 6

Did you LIKE this article?
Yes
No

Related topics

What is the Tong Ren Palace, but the concubines are terrified when they hear the name, no one wants to come?

Hoàng Phúc16:27:38 08/09/2024
Tong Renfu is an authoritarian agency that manages people in the imperial court, and this place also often appears in Qing dynasty palace movies. When the plot of the film develops to a climax, there will often be a line that draws to the Tong Nhan Phu.

 3  |  1 Discuss  |  

Empress Dowager Tu Xi just woke up and immediately "destroyed" the eunuch and the courtesan, the reason was extremely terrifying

Uyển Đình21:09:25 07/09/2024
The fact that Empress Dowager Tu Xi is said to be the most beautiful person in the Qing Dynasty has caused a lo.t of doubts and controversy because it is not clear whether this is true or exaggerated by others.

 3  |  1 Discuss  |  

Empress Dowager Cixi terrified the palace maids when she served her to sleep, exhausted to the point of deat.h.

Uyển Đình15:31:17 30/08/2024
Empress Dowager Cixi was the most powerful woman in Chinese history. It is well known that Empress Dowager Cixi lived a lavish life. Even when the Qing Dynasty was in danger, she still leisurely held a lavish birthday party.

 4  |  1 Discuss  |  

Why is there no word on Wu Zetian's tombstone? Everyone is shocked to hear this!

Thảo Mai18:36:05 25/08/2024
China is a country full of secrets. Among them, there are two great puzzles that have not been solved yet, one in Beijing, one in Xi'an, and the other is even more puzzling.

 3  |  1 Discuss  |  

What is there about Qin Shi Huang's tomb that made the "ancestor of tomb robbers" quit his job after just one visit?

Minh Lợi17:09:08 21/08/2024
Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who unified China and ruled over vast territories in 221-210 BC, has attracted the attention and interest of scientists, archaeologists, and the public.

 3  |  1 Discuss  |  

Strangely, ancient concubines' hands were always "sticky" with "fake nails", what was the purpose?

An Nhi16:37:51 26/06/2024
Nail rings are also known as fake nails or protective rings. It has been around for a long time, since the Warring States period. The ancient Chinese believed that hair and nails were born from parents, so avoid cutting them and just let them grow naturally!

 1  |  1 Discuss  |  

The oil lamp on the mountain burned for more than 600 years without going out, the secret was "revealed" by tourists.

Kim Lâm18:58:21 10/04/2024
At Wudang Mountain (China), legends related to oil lamps that have burned for 600 years and have never been extinguished always attract everyone's curiosity. Until a secret was revealed by tourists here that surprised the public.

 3  |  1 Discuss  |  

Evading the impregnated market when "the month comes", what tricks does the concubine use?

Minh Lợi14:08:01 16/02/2024
Ancient Chinese people used to regard seeing bloo.d as a harbinger of bad luck. Therefore, if he was unfortunate enough to be blessed on the right day of the month, the Heavenly Prince would know that he would not only lose his grace but might also anger him.

 3  |  1 Discuss  |  

Revealing the princess with the most husbands in Chinese history, living a debauched, indulgent life

Gia Nhi17:14:09 12/01/2024
Although she is a princess of a prestigious royal family, this gir.l leads a debauched and indulgent lifestyle, and is even known as the most married woman in Chinese history.

 2  |  1 Discuss  |  

The same servant to the Emperor, but why was the eunuch not forced to "purify" like the eunuch?

JLO17:13:41 02/01/2024
Working together for the emperor of China, the eunuch went through the process of purification but the eunuch did not. This makes many people curious why the crown prince was treated so favorably by the emperor.

 1  |  1 Discuss  |  

The Lu Ban talisman is known as the most terrifying talisman in China, why?

Thảo Mai17:49:29 08/12/2023
There are many rumors about charms that can help the user have luck, fortune, and cause the cursed person to lose sleep, eat, or even become exhausted. The Lu Ban talisman, originating from China, is also one of those talismans with terrifying power.

 2  |  1 Discuss  |  

Various types of birthday celebrations of the Ancient Chinese Emperor: 1 gift that everyone likes!

Đình Như18:17:52 03/12/2023
The emperor was the most powerful person in ancient times, having in the hands of the whole world. So, birthday parties are also very fussy. However, before the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern dynasties, people did not celebrate birthdays.

 3  |  1 Discuss  |  

Mother Hurrykngnoisy negavPhan Dat Phuong Landiddy bossMiss Cosmorapper negavphilips spiritteam africarapper diddyblackpinklisaHometownlight spirit -Quang Dung