They have legitimate concerns about exploring tombs
Archaeologists have yet to venture inside the tomb of China's first emperor.
Even if you've never heard of Qin Shihuang, you probably know his final resting place. He was the first person to unify China and reigned from 221 BC to 210 BC.
But his tomb is what he is most famous for, as it contains thousands of life-size sculptures depicting his loyal soldiers.
These clay figures, known as the Terracotta Warriors, remained undiscovered until 1974, when farmers discovered this special site.
Since then, archaeologists have begun excavating the site, uncovering extraordinary artifacts such as ancient weapons.
But there's one part of the estimated 60 square kilometers of ruins they've never explored: the actual tomb of Qin Shi Huang.
Experts fear that entering the chamber where he is buried, accompanied by his “army” of more than 8,000 men, could have fatal consequences, IFL Science reported.
According to Chinese historian Sima Qian, the tomb was about the size of a football field and was filled with traps designed to ward off intruders.
Qian claimed that these rangers ranged from mechanically flowing mercury to self-firing crossbows.
There is also evidence to support his theory, with a 2020 study finding unusually high levels of mercury at the site.
The paper states: “Highly volatile mercury may escape through cracks that form in the structure over time, and our investigation supports ancient chronicle records on the tomb, which is believed to have never been opened/robbed Pass.”
It is said that Qin Shihuang was obsessed with mercury during his lifetime, and even drank the stuff to seek immortality.
Unsurprisingly, experts believe the emperor's death at the age of 49 may have been caused by mercury poisoning.
In addition to potential mercury poisoning, archaeologists are reluctant to enter the chamber for fear that doing so will damage the artifacts inside.
As the wider site was excavated, some of the terracotta statues began to deteriorate, with their colorful coatings peeling off once exposed to the local dry climate.
Archaeologists are considering using non-invasive methods to analyze the tomb of the First Emperor, but no action has been taken in this regard.
Related Links:
Secret chamber discovered in 4,400-year-old Egyptian pyramid
Man discovers entire dungeon hidden in his basement
#Archaeologists #open #tomb #China39s #emperor
