Archaeologists Are Afraid To Enter The Tomb Of China's First Emperor

The Terracotta Army is not the only figure found in the tomb’s complex. There were also figures from the court and others thought to be beloved by the emperor who were entombed with him. In 1974, the tomb was discovered miraculously in the Shaanxi province of China. Since then, archaeologists have explored the outer tombs in detail, but one tomb remains a mystery and will remain so for some time. Why? Well, one thing is for sure, it’s definitely not because they are too afraid of what they might find inside the tomb.

Credit: YouTube

One chamber in the enormous complex still remains unopened.

It is, of course, the most important chamber of all and is the one containing the tomb and sarcophagus of the emperor himself.

There are a number of reasons why archaeologists are delaying opening the tomb, and they are very good reasons.

Part of the Terracotta Army Credit: National Museum of China / Picryl

A prime reason behind this hesitancy is that archeologists are concerned about how the excavation might damage the tomb, losing vital historical information. Currently, only invasive archaeological techniques could be used to enter the tomb, running a high risk of causing irreparable damage. 

Not only do archaeologists believe it will cause damage, but there are rumors of deathly booby traps that could kill curious intruders.

Writings by Chinese historian Sima Qian 100 years after Qin Shu Huang's death claim "Palaces and scenic towers for a hundred officials were constructed and the tomb was filled with rare artifacts and wonderful treasure."

The Terracotta Army was buried near the tomb of Qin Shi Huang to protect him in his afterlife. Credit: The Archaeologist

He continued: "Craftsmen were ordered to make crossbows and arrows primed to shoot at anyone who enters the tomb. Mercury was used to simulate the hundred rivers, the Yangtze and Yellow River, and the great sea, and set to flow mechanically."

Even if those alleged crossbows failed thousands of years later, there are still fears of liquid mercury seeping through the cracks.

"Highly volatile mercury may be escaping through cracks, which developed in the structure over time, and our investigation supports ancient chronicle records on the tomb, which is believed never to have been opened/looted," one 2020 paper suggests, as per the publication.

Credit: National Geographic

When the site was found, the terracotta soldiers were emblazoned with bright and bold colours, but due to the sudden change in atmosphere when the city was reopened, their colours faded.

Now, archaeologists believe the same thing could happen if the imperial tomb was opened too soon.

They claim to be waiting for technological advancements that would allow the tomb to be preserved before opening it.

Curatorial consultant for the Terracotta Warrior exhibition Kristin Romey told Live Science: "The big hill, where the emperor is buried — nobody's been in there. Partly it's out of respect for the elders, but they also realise that nobody in the world right now has the technology to properly go in and excavate it."

Albert Lin meeting the Terracotta Army Credit: National Geographic/Youtube

Despite the academic consensus to avoid entering the site, one explorer, National Geographic's Albert Lin, managed to get closer than all others in what he described as an "incredible experience". In a video, originally broadcast in 2017, Mr Lin said: “This is the Terracotta Army - 8,000 warriors buried over 2,000 years ago – one of the greatest wonders of the world.

He added: “It’s a really incredible feeling to be here. Standing in a place where nobody really gets access. I mean, we’re at the centre, at the heart, of this unbelievable World Heritage Site, which is, in a lot of ways, a symbol of my own cultural heritage, my ancestry.”

Qin Xi Huang was China's first emperor Credit: Picryl / Portal, Jane (Ed.)

"This is the first emperor's army. He ordered his real army to be recreated in clay and buried with him, ready to fight his battles in the afterlife. Each face is individual and unique. Look at the scale of this place – tells you a lot about the guy, his ego, his vision for his afterlife.”

Lin said the warriors he could see were clearly ‘set for battle – exactly like the emperor’s real army’, with light infantry at the front, then heavy infantry and even cavalry at the rear, along with 520 life-sized horses.

The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor Credit: Aaron Zhu/Wikimedia Commons

The Qin Shi Huang tomb is currently closed and hidden, but it is not forgotten. However, it's possible that when the time is right, scientific developments will eventually delve into the mysteries that have been buried here undisturbed for over 2,200 years.