'Hidden for 2,200 years': Archaeologists are too scared to open up the tomb of this Chinese emperor
Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Ancient Discovery
In 1974, farmers in Shaanxi, China, uncovered the terracotta army guarding Qin Shi Huang’s tomb—a burial site of China’s first emperor, hidden for 2,200 years.
Terracotta Guard
The tomb is protected by an elaborate terracotta army of soldiers and horses, symbolizing the emperor’s strength even in death and discouraging potential intruders.
Locked in Time
Though archaeologists have examined the area, they have never opened the tomb itself, fearing irreversible damage and other, potentially more dangerous consequences.
Deadly Booby Traps
IFL Science reports on ancient rumors of crossbows set to fire at intruders, making any attempt to enter the tomb a potentially deadly venture.
Historic Accounts
Chinese historian Sima Qian wrote that the tomb contained “palaces” and treasures for hundreds of officials, with booby-trapped crossbows ready to guard the emperor’s wealth.
Mercury Rivers
Sima Qian also described the tomb’s “rivers” of mercury simulating China’s great rivers, an innovation thought to flow mechanically within the sealed burial chamber.
Toxic Threat
A 2020 study confirms mercury levels near the tomb, indicating that this highly volatile element may be seeping through cracks, posing a serious hazard.
Non-Invasive Hope
Scientists have considered non-invasive methods to explore the tomb’s mysteries, but current technology has yet to offer a feasible solution.
A Mystery Preserved
For now, Qin Shi Huang’s tomb remains sealed, an ancient mystery protected by time, superstition, and toxic defenses—its secrets undisturbed for over two millennia.