Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor & Terracotta Army
Qin Shi Huang Ling · Terracotta Army
Qin Dynasty·Qin / Han-precursor·🇨🇳 Shaanxi Province, China
About
About Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor & Terracotta Army
Unopened earthen pyramid mound of Qin Shi Huang (259–210 BCE) with 600 pits, ~8000 terracotta warriors, chariots, weapons protecting subterranean bronze palace described by Sima Qian with mercury rivers (soil Hg anomaly confirmed).
Why it mattersLargest imperial tomb in Chinese history; microcosm of Qin empire.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Contents of unopened tomb chamber
- 02Mercury rivers mechanism
Theories
- 01Sima Qian account of eternal lamps and booby traps
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 246–208 BCE
- Period
- Qin Dynasty
- Culture
- Qin / Han-precursor
- Purpose
- Imperial tomb and afterlife city
- Excavation
- Unexcavated
246–208 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1495 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
34.3817° N · 109.2533° E · 515 m · 3 mapped features
Terracotta Army Pit 1
pitLargest pit 230 x 62 m with infantry
34.3845° N · 109.2730° EMausoleum mound
pyramid moundTruncated pyramid mound, unopened
34.3817° N · 109.2533° EBronze chariots pit
pitHalf-size bronze chariots
34.3822° N · 109.2515° E