Why Archaeologists Refuse to Open the Tomb of China’s First Emperor

For nearly 2,200 years, the resting place of Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, has remained sealed — and archaeologists say it is likely to stay that way for the foreseeable future. Despite being one of the most tantalizing archaeological sites in the world, the tomb is considered too dangerous and too fragile to explore.

Qin Shi Huang, who unified China in 221 BC and ruled until his death in 210 BC, is remembered as both a visionary and a ruthless leader. He introduced sweeping reforms, from standardizing weights and measures to building roads and beginning construction of the Great Wall.

Yet his most enduring legacy may lie beneath the ground in Shaanxi province, where his vast mausoleum complex continues to inspire awe — and caution.

The discovery of the Terracotta Army

The site first drew international attention in 1974, when farmers digging a well stumbled upon what would become known as the Terracotta Army: thousands of life-size clay soldiers, horses, and chariots built to guard the emperor in the afterlife.

Since then, excavations have uncovered an entire underground city of sorts, with soldiers arranged in battle formation, weapons at the ready.

But while archaeologists have studied the surrounding necropolis, the central tomb — believed to contain the emperor’s actual remains and the greatest treasures of the complex — has never been opened.

The mausoleum was designed not just as a palace for the afterlife, but as a fortress against intruders.

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Warnings from ancient records

The main reason lies in warnings written by Sima Qian, a Chinese historian who chronicled the tomb around a century after Qin Shi Huang’s death. According to his accounts, the mausoleum was designed not just as a palace for the afterlife, but as a fortress against intruders.

“Palaces and scenic towers for a hundred officials were constructed and the tomb was filled with rare artifacts and wonderful treasure,” Sima Qian wrote. He also described deadly traps: “Craftsmen were ordered to make crossbows and arrows primed to shoot at anyone who enters the tomb.”

Even more alarming was his claim that rivers of mercury were engineered to flow mechanically through the chambers, simulating China’s great waterways, including the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers.

The Psychological Impact of Unresolved Mysteries

Our fascination with mysteries like the unopened tomb of Qin Shi Huang may be linked to our innate curiosity and desire for novelty, which is a key driver of learning and exploration (Kashdan, et al., 2004). This concept, known as the information gap theory, posits that when we encounter things we don't know, it creates an 'information gap' that we are motivated to fill.

Even more alarming was his claim that rivers of mercury were engineered to flow mechanically through the chambers

The mercury problem

Modern science appears to support at least part of Sima Qian’s account. Soil samples taken near the tomb have revealed unusually high levels of mercury.

A 2020 study noted that “highly volatile mercury may be escaping through cracks which developed in the structure over time,” adding weight to the idea that the subterranean palace was indeed flooded with the toxic metal.

The possibility of lethal traps, combined with the risk of exposure to mercury vapor, makes direct excavation hazardous. Even if archaeologists managed to neutralize these threats, opening the tomb could cause irreversible damage to whatever treasures or human remains lie inside.

The dilemma of preservation

Unlike the Terracotta Army, which has been painstakingly restored after centuries underground, the contents of the main burial chamber are sealed in a highly delicate microenvironment. Breaking into it could cause artifacts to collapse, corrode, or disintegrate upon contact with air and light.

For this reason, archaeologists have turned to non-invasive methods such as ground-penetrating radar and remote sensing to map the tomb. So far, these efforts have revealed the sheer scale of the mausoleum complex but have stopped short of peering inside the central chamber.

The mystery continues

The tomb of Qin Shi Huang remains one of archaeology’s greatest mysteries. Is it truly filled with priceless treasures and ingenious traps, or have centuries of legend exaggerated what lies within? For now, the answers remain locked underground.

While the temptation to open the tomb is enormous, most experts agree that until technology advances to the point where its contents can be explored safely and preserved intact, the emperor’s resting place will remain undisturbed — guarded, as always, by his silent army of clay.

The reluctance of archaeologists to open the tomb can be understood through the lens of risk assessment, a psychological process we all engage in when making decisions. We weigh the potential benefits against the risks, often preferring to maintain the status quo if the potential losses seem too great (Weber, et al., 2002). In this case, the potential destruction of invaluable historical artifacts and triggering of traps outweigh the benefit of satisfying our curiosity. This aligns with the Prospect Theory, which suggests that losses loom larger than gains in our decision-making process.

Human Response to Authority and Power

The reverence and caution with which we approach the resting place of Qin Shi Huang may also be influenced by our psychological response to authority and power. Past research, such as Milgram's obedience experiment (Milgram, 1963), has shown that people often show deference to authority figures, even long after they've passed away. This respect for authority can extend to places or objects associated with these figures, like Qin Shi Huang's tomb. Find out more about this experiment in Milgram's original paper.

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

In conclusion, our fascination with the tomb of Qin Shi Huang and the caution with which archaeologists approach it can be understood through psychological concepts such as the information gap theory, risk assessment, and our response to authority and power. These theories and research findings shed light on the complex interplay of curiosity, caution, and respect that this archaeological site elicits.