The tomb of Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor who ruled from 221 BC to 210 BC, remains unopened and shrouded in mystery. Guarded by a remarkable terracotta army discovered by farmers in 1974 in Shaanxi province, the tomb is believed to house a wealth of artifacts and treasures.
Despite extensive exploration of the surrounding area, archaeologists have refrained from entering the tomb itself. Concerns about potential damage and the existence of deadly booby traps, as described in ancient texts, have fueled this hesitation. According to historian Sima Qian, who wrote about the tomb a century after Qin's death, the site was designed with elaborate defenses, including crossbows aimed at intruders and a mercury simulation of China's rivers.
Recent studies suggest that mercury may be seeping from the tomb due to cracks formed over centuries, raising alarms about the risks involved. Although scientists have considered non-invasive methods to investigate the tomb, no practical solutions have yet emerged. The tomb's untouched status continues to intrigue archaeologists and historians alike, emphasizing the delicate balance between discovery and preservation.