Because of This, Archaeologists Dare Not Excavate The Tomb of The First Emperor of China

In 1974, the discovery of the Chinese Emperor's burial complex containing approximately eight thousand life-sized terracotta warrior statues became one of the most significant discoveries in history. Although the complex is believed to contain secrets of the first Chinese Emperor, Qin Shi Huang, archaeologists are still reluctant to touch the tomb that serves as his final resting place due to concerns of potential damage or destruction of the historic site, as well as potential traps and dangers inside. Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor of China who achieved many remarkable accomplishments, including the construction of the Great Wall of China, but he also desired eternal life and ordered scientists and explorers to search for a magical elixir, which ultimately did not grant him immortality.

[karphin]

It is remarkable to think of each soldier, and other pieces, being made individually. I’d imagine it took years to create them all.

[Sirius_Blazing_Star]

I had the honor of visiting during my first travel to China. It is unreal. You can literally feel you’re on sacred grounds. #TerraCottaSoldiers #EmperorQinshihuang

[tater]

Indiana Jones would have been able to successfully defeat all the traps if Disney hadn’t ruined him.

[douglasflandermeyer]

I seriously doubt the tomb has not been opened. Human curiosity, of something this magnificent, could not be contained for all these years. The time, lives, and wealth this required is unimaginable, yet we knew nothing of it. I wonder what else is out there.

[mergrew]

The scale of this necropolis is astounding. I always think of the ego of the occupant who planned his legacy and the huge amount of labor that it entailed, not to mention the cost in human lives it must have taken.

[marlonchristopher]

Yet archeologist raided the tombs of thr Egyptian Pharoahs but afraid to touch this one ? 😮

[cim]

I've been there twice in Xi'an. Its truly an amazing and humbling experience.

[charlesritz]

I’ve been to both sites and have always wondered why determined tomb robbers could so thoroughly ransack Egypt’s wonders over the centuries, but the first Chinese emperor’s tomb was not.

[Mark-vnet]

Wait what? I’ve seen this in multiple movies but always thought this was fictional. This is amazing!

[TheFiown]

Didn't mention that all the statues were painted in colour and the colour dissapeared when exposed to air

[ilonapapp]

Qin Shi Huang didn’t build the Great Wall, it had already been built, he just had parts of it connected. Just like he united several kingdoms into one state. He was a cruel and ruthless man who had many books burned and scholars executed. The Terracotta Army was replacing lots and lots of human sacrifice. Many had to die with him but the army must have been powerful enough that they talked him into substituting real human soldiers with their terracotta images.
As for the grave itself, mercury is highly volatile and if it was in open surfaces like imitation rivers and sea, it didn’t stay there. It also has the ability to dissolve every and any other metals in it, especially precious metals, thus creating alloys (liquid mixed metal solutions). Remember the old silver tooth fillings? Now that was mercury/silver alloy.
My guess is that every bit of metal in that grave was contaminated, corroded and dissolved by the mercury fumes and then the liquid slowly seeped into the ground. I would not drink well water there. What is left is possibly not that attractive for treasure hunters and not that informative for archaeologists.
I find it ironic that he died because he wanted to live forever and even in his death he was pickled in mercury.

[nicknickleby]

I cant think of anything, any place in the world that can compete with that massive stunning display of funeric art.

[angiealexis]

That is one of the most incredibly created art work in the world!! God bless the artists!! That is talent!!

[phlegethon]

I think a discovery that would be just as big would be Lu Bu's final resting place.

[MrChopemup]

Xian, went there in 95. Was very Impressive. . Across the street from the parking area was a huge market selling only animal skins. Bizarre … xian was very polluted . And this was back in 1995 .

[yoonbum]

I remember when they found this. Its as beautiful now as it was then.❤

[aatikpancholi]

I wonder if the studs on their armor have any meaning in pattern (constellations, etc.)

[mardendr]

Fascinating documentary but the music sound very very disturbing

[JayRappa]

Society: “you can’t take it with you.”
Qin Shi Huang: “Watch me.”

[brocknspectre]

I’m amazed by the statues, but I see all that baked clay and I just can’t imagine the kilns!