Here’s the chilling reason archaeologists will never open the tomb of China’s first Emperor, Qin Shi Huang.
While there have been numerous remarkable discoveries throughout history, the burial site of China’s first Emperor stands out as one of the most significant. The tomb, constructed over 38 years from 246 to 208 BC, was designed to mirror the layout of Xianyang, the capital of the Qin dynasty, now located near Xi’an.
The tomb was first uncovered in 1974 when workers digging a well stumbled upon it, leading to a series of expeditions that revealed many fascinating finds. Among the most famous discoveries were the terracotta warriors—thousands of life-sized statues that make up the world-renowned Terracotta Army.
The Terracotta Army was first discovered in 1974 (Luis Martinez/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
This collection of sculptures was buried with Qin Shi Huang to safeguard him in the afterlife. They are believed to represent not only soldiers but also non-military individuals like officials, strongmen, and musicians.
But why were they placed here, you might wonder?
These figures were laid to rest in the Emperor’s tomb to offer him protection on his journey to the afterlife—and, quite possibly, to provide him with entertainment as well.
Over the years, archaeologists have uncovered many of these statues, but the tomb of Qin Shi Huang himself has remained untouched to this day.
The burial site, where the founder of the Qin dynasty was laid to rest in 210 BC, lies at the heart of the mausoleum.
Despite this, archaeologists remain uncertain about opening this section of the tomb and have postponed expeditions to the sarcophagus multiple times.
Interestingly, their hesitation isn’t driven by fears of curses, although there are worries about potential booby traps.
Instead, experts have a more crucial reason for avoiding the tomb.
There’s a few reasons why archeologists don’t want to open the Emperor’s tomb (Pictures From History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
When the Terracotta Army was first excavated, the statues were found to be painted in vibrant colors. However, the sudden shift in atmosphere caused the paint to begin peeling, and now the statues are left plain.
This has made archaeologists reluctant to open the imperial chamber, as they fear that a similar change in the environment could damage whatever lies inside. As a result, scientists are waiting for advancements in technology that would allow them to open the tomb without harming its contents.
Experts believe that, with time and proper preservation techniques, the Emperor’s burial site could remain intact, and its hidden magnificence wouldn’t be lost. Kristin Romey, a curatorial consultant for the Terracotta Warrior exhibition at Discovery Times Square in New York City, explained to 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 realize that nobody in the world right now has the technology to properly go in and excavate it.”
