8Do Rivers Of Mercury Really Protect Emperor Qin’s Tomb Complex?
This massive mausoleum was accidentally discovered by a farmer Xi’an in Shaanxi in 1974. Specifically, he found human figures composed of terracotta. Archeologists still on-site believe there are 130 chariots, 150 cavalry, 520 horses, and an army of 8,000 soldiers.
Each soldier is unique but they all have swords and sophisticated crossbows. The army was created for the famous Emperor Qin Shi Huang who died back in 210 BC. He was the emperor who united the country.
An underground necropolis was created to memorialize him. The 98 square mile complex was protected by the army. While Huang’s tomb is in the center, the tomb remains sealed because of alleged booby-trapped weapons protecting the entrance as well as rumors of rivers of mercury around the tomb. In ancient times, the Chinese believed mercury gave one eternal life. The emperor drank it daily and probably caused his own death. If the tomb is contaminated, it would be dangerous to enter it. This looks like a job for Indiana Jones!
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