fierce and brutal, qin shi huang became the first emperor of united China. Before him, what we now know as Chinese territory was divided into different kingdoms, but he unified them after a long war.
At his death, in 210 BC, was buried at the foot of Lishan Mountain, 35 kilometers northeast of Xi’an, Shaanxi province.
In 1974, a group of peasants looking for water found part of the mausoleum with his remains, with an army of terracotta warriors who would protect, according to tradition, to its emperor.
However, in the world of archaeology, experts do not want to go any further than open the tomb of Qin Shi Huang. Is it true that you have a curse? What are the real reasons? These are the three compelling reasons not to do it.
The traps on the way to the emperor’s tomb
The experts indicate the existence of traps on the way to Qin Shi Huang’s tomb, Created to prevent looting. They are based on the account of the Chinese historian Sima Qian, a century after the death of the hierarch.
“Palaces and scenic towers were built for a hundred officials, and the tomb was filled with rare artifacts and wonderful treasures. Craftsmen were ordered to make crossbows and arrows ready to shoot anyone who entered the tomb,” says Sima Qian’s narration, cited by IFL Science.
Although these traps would no longer be very effective, since more than 2 thousand years had passed since the death of the emperor, no one wants to try.
The Mercury
Another part of the account by the Chinese historian Sima Qian notes: “Mercury was used to simulate the hundred rivers, the Yangtze and the Yellow River, and the great sea, and it began to flow mechanically.”
Mercury is carcinogenic, and this is another compelling reason not to look for the grave and open it. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, methylmercury compounds are carcinogenic to humans.
And in the amounts possibly used in the emperor’s mausoleum, The risk must be much higher.
Possible damage to the structure
The search and opening of the emperor’s tomb It would cause a lot of damage to the structure. more than 2 thousand years old.
UNESCO declared the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor as a world heritage site, protecting the part that was discovered in 1974, with the terracotta warriors. Going further would imply destroying a lot, generating danger not only for the structure, but for the archaeologists themselves, as we saw in the previous points.
“Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum is the largest preserved site in China”, says UNESCO. “It is a unique architectural ensemble whose design echoes the urban plan of the capital, Xianyang, with the imperial palace enclosed by the city walls, surrounded themselves by other walls”.
The use of new technologies, including small robots, is being considered to further analyze the site. But, for the moment, nothing will be done to affect it.
qin shi huang You can continue to rest in peace.
