Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, was the first to unite the kingdoms that made up what is now China. His tomb lies within one of the most famous burial complexes in the world. Although archaeologists have identified its location, they have yet to open it. The reason isn’t fear of a curse. There are several explanations, and they’re more practical.
The emperor’s tomb is part of a third-century BC burial complex. The complex’s most famous feature is the army of terracotta statues discovered in the 1970s. Experts estimate that about 8,000 life-size warrior statues guard the necropolis. With only 2,000 excavated, many statues remain buried. The most recent discovery was in 2022.
The mausoleum of the emperor who led China from a collection of warring kingdoms to its imperial era is in Shaanxi province, in central China. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One area, however, remains untouched. The emperor’s tomb is still intact. Anthropologists and historians recognize its immense value but refuse to enter. Several reasons drive this decision, ranging from the mundane to scenarios reminiscent of Indiana Jones movies.
The first reason involves possible traps. This is likely the least concerning factor, as it’s improbable that 2,200-year-old traps still function. Additionally, experts don’t know whether traps exist or were fabricated by ancient chroniclers to deter looters. Imperial tombs have always been tempting targets for thieves.
A more significant concern for archaeologists is mercury—potentially rivers of it. Historical texts mention mercury in the tomb, and scientific evidence supports this claim.
Solving a Mystery
A 2020 study published in Nature by Chinese researchers reported higher-than-expected mercury levels in the necropolis. Mercury wasn’t used as a trap but rather as a decorative element, possibly to mimic river water flowing through the tomb—an extreme form of embellishment.
Mercury was oddly associated with life in ancient times, though it might have caused the emperor’s death. He commissioned the mausoleum before he died in 210 BC.
Archaeologist Kristin Romey, who has studied the site, explained: “Partly it’s out of respect for the elders, but they also realize that nobody in the world right now has the technology to properly go in and excavate it.”
Experts fear exploration could irreparably harm the tomb. They don’t know whether a wall they breach might contain inscriptions or other valuable details. Exposure to air and water could damage the contents, and structural harm to the mausoleum is another concern.
Experience suggests caution. Archaeological missteps have caused significant losses in the past. The city of Troy, for example, suffered devastation during excavation, and similar mistakes were made in Egypt. The invasive techniques used to explore King Tutankhamun’s tomb in the 1930s destroyed much potential knowledge.
“When we went into [Egyptian King] Tut’s tomb, think about all the information we lost just based on the excavation techniques of the 1930s. There’s so much additional that we could have learned, but the techniques back then weren’t what we have now,” Romey added.
The Chinese government has the final say on whether the tomb will be opened. For now, officials appear to be waiting for technological advances to minimize damage.
Some methods show promise. In Egypt, researchers are using advanced scanning techniques to study the interiors of pharaonic tombs. Tools like muons, which can penetrate dense structures, could be employed for the Qin tomb. For now, though, archaeologists must wait to unravel its secrets—and hope the mystery doesn’t involve rivers of mercury.
Image | gio.april
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