• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Explorer got very close to China's first emperor's army where archaeologists are too scared to open his tomb

Home> News> World News

Published 12:12 10 Feb 2024 GMT

Explorer got very close to China's first emperor's army where archaeologists are too scared to open his tomb

The tomb has remained unopened for thousands of years

Ben Thompson

Ben Thompson

One explorer got as close to the tomb of China's first emperor as archeologists currently dare, as the historical figure's burial place remains undisturbed 2,000 years on.

Qin Xi Huang's tomb complex has been hailed as one of the world's most significant archaeological discoveries and is home to the famous Terracotta Army.

The city-sized lot contains everything he felt he'd need for the afterlife, including an army of clay soldiers.

The idea was that these figures would protect him after his death in 210 BC.

Advert

He was only 49 years old at the time of his passing.

Given that his tomb has remained unopened after all these years, it appears his soldiers are doing a solid job of standing guard.

Archaeologists have long steered clear of opening up the tomb, but not for any superstitious reasons.

There's a scientific reason behind their caution.

Advert

The Terracotta Warriors were set up to protect the tomb of China's first emperor.
National Geographic

When the complex was first excavated, the clay soldiers were covered in rich colours.

However, a sudden change in atmosphere meant the paint peeled off, leaving them completely bare.

As such, scientists are worried that a similar effect could happen should they open up the emperor's tomb.

Advert

It's hoped that archaeological science and technology will advance to allow preservation of the chamber before it can be opened.

Kristin Romey, a curatorial consultant for an exhibition on the Terraccotta Warriors, told Live Science: "Nobody in the world right now has the technology to properly go in and excavate it."

On top of this, there are also concerns that outlandish accounts of booby traps such as self-firing crossbows and rivers of mercury in the tomb may have some truth to them.

But while experts have to remain cautious about how they proceed with some areas, one explorer was once able to have a rare meeting with the Emperor’s Army – an experience he said was ‘incredible’.

Advert

The Terracotta Army stand guard outside the tomb.
China Span LLC/Corbis via Getty Images

In a video shared six years ago, National Geographic’s Albert Lin explained: "This is the Terracotta Army - 8,000 warriors buried over 2,000 years ago – one of the greatest wonders of the world.

"This is the first Emperor's army. He ordered his real army to be recreated in clay and buried with him, ready to fight his battles in the afterlife.

"Each face is individual and unique. Look at the scale of this place – tells you a lot about the guy, his ego, his vision for his afterlife."

Advert

Taking it in, he went on: "What an experience."

The Terracotta Army have been praised as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries.
National Geographic

Lin said the warriors he could see were clearly ‘set for battle – exactly like the Emperor’s real army’, with light infantry at the front, then heavy infantry and even cavalry at the rear, along with 520 life-sized horses.

He added: "It’s a really incredible feeling to be here. Standing in a place where nobody really gets access.

Advert

"I mean, we’re at the centre, at the heart, of this unbelievable World Heritage Site, which is, in a lot of ways, a symbol of my own cultural heritage, my ancestry."

Featured Image Credit: National Geographic

Topics: Science, Technology

Ben Thompson
Ben Thompson

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Archaeologists uncover ‘miracle’ structure underneath ancient Egyptian temple
  • Archaeologists are too scared to look inside the tomb of China's first Emperor
  • New open world game where you play as a mouse set to rival popular cat game

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
16 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Major update in Justin Baldoni's $400,000,000 lawsuit against Blake Lively following judge's initial dismissal

    Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have been embroiled in legal back-and-forth for months

    Celebrity
  • an hour ago

    Newlywed tragically dies on honeymoon in freak accident after stepping into ankle-deep water

    The 29-year-old man sadly lost his life on Saturday (June 21), a day after the accident

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    Trump lashes out after top-secret intelligence report shows truth behind damage done to Iran nuclear sites

    It's safe to say that the president isn't happy about the allegations

    News
  • 16 hours ago

    Mother's heartbreaking plea before twins, 6, were killed in aggressive tornado

    Kayleigh Bisson lost two of her daughters after a storm swept through New York

    News