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The tomb of the first emperor of China has never been opened. Archaeologists fear deadly traps.
The tomb of the first emperor of China is one of the most enigmatic places in the world. It is guarded by a terracotta army.
Many archaeological discoveries have happened by chance. The same was true for the famous terracotta army in China. In the 1970s, farmers working in a field in the Shaanxi province stumbled upon it. While digging, they uncovered a fragment of a human figure. This was just the beginning of the findings in that place. Further excavations by archaeologists revealed pits filled with thousands of life-sized terracotta models of soldiers and war horses.
What does the terracotta army defend?
Why bury such works of art? According to historians, the terracotta army in China has a specific purpose — to protect the mausoleum of the ruler who reigned from 221 to 210 BCE. This ruler was Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. He initiated the construction of the Great Wall of China and is also credited with unifying the script, currency, and measurements. The name “China” is derived from his name (Qin).
Since its discovery almost 50 years ago, scientists have managed to study parts of the necropolis. However, the tomb itself remains sealed. Archaeologists are hesitant to…
