The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization recognized the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang in China as a cultural heritage site in 1987.
The Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang – A World Cultural Heritage Site in China
The Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang is located to the north of Li Mountain in Shaanxi Province, approximately 50 km east of Xi’an. The tomb is surrounded by an earthen mound rising 76 meters high, stretching 350 km from south to north and 354 meters wide from west to east.
Surrounding the tomb are two layers of city walls, covering an area of 2 km2. Between these walls are various structures including palaces, temples, residences, and more. Below ground lies a rectangular burial chamber measuring 460 meters from south to north and 392 meters from west to east, enclosed by walls that are 27 meters high and 4 meters thick, with doors on all sides. The total area of the burial chamber is 180,000 m2.
The grandeur and magnificence within the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
Inside the mausoleum, there are three levels: the uppermost is the outer palace, followed by the inner palace, and finally, the burial chamber. The area of the burial chamber is about 20,000 m2, and scientists discovered mercury levels 280 times higher than normal.
In addition to the burial chamber, there are 300 tunnels containing over 50,000 important artifacts. The famous historical text “Records of the Grand Historian” by Sima Qian describes the construction of Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum as follows: “When Qin Shi Huang ascended the throne, he ordered the excavation of Li Mountain. Once he unified the realm, he relocated 700,000 people to build the mausoleum, excavate three rivers, and construct a furnace underground to store the coffins. Treasures from palaces and offerings were buried below. He also commanded the construction of crossbows to shoot anyone who dug too close. Mercury was used to create rivers mimicking the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers. The machinery allowed the waters of the rivers and the sea to flow together. Above, there were celestial models, while below, there were geographical representations, using fish oil to create torches designed to burn eternally. After the mausoleum was completed, Qin Er Shi (Qin Shi Huang’s son) ordered the entrance to be sealed, burying alive all the workers who constructed the last segments of the tunnels, and then planted many trees and grasses over the tomb to form a hill.”
The generals, warriors, and warhorses made of terracotta in the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang.
Emperor Qin Shi Huang, also known as Qin Zheng (259-210 BC), ascended to the throne at the age of 13 and took control of the government at 22. In 221 BC, he unified six states including Chu, Zhou, Yan, Han, Zhao, and Wei, becoming the first emperor in Chinese history. Shortly after becoming king at just 13, Qin Zheng mobilized 700,000 laborers to construct his mausoleum to ensure a peaceful afterlife. This monumental project took 38 years to complete.
Due to the mausoleum being camouflaged as a hill, it remained undetected for thousands of years. It wasn’t until 1974 that the mausoleum was accidentally discovered when a farmer stumbled upon fragments of ancient pottery. Subsequent excavations took place in 1974, 1985, and 2009.
In 1974, part of the tomb was excavated, starting with the Terracotta Army pit, where archaeologists estimated there were around 8,000 clay figures, including civil officials, military generals, soldiers, and attendants of Qin Shi Huang. In 1976, Pit No. 2 was discovered 20 meters from the first pit, followed by Pit No. 3 located about 25 meters away.
However, the excavation faced significant challenges due to the high concentration of mercury surrounding the site, which was 280 times above permissible levels. Additionally, scientists had to move a massive amount of earth and rocks while dealing with high groundwater levels beneath the mausoleum, complicating the excavation process.
Scientists and archaeologists working at the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang have noted that once the terracotta figures are brought to the surface, they undergo a preservation process to prevent cracking and are stored in a stable temperature environment to ensure their longevity.
The most crucial aspect is preserving the artifacts once they are excavated. The terracotta warriors, when initially found, displayed vibrant colors, but over time, these hues faded. Thus, scientists decided to use a method called “freeze drying” to avoid cracking and fading. Artifacts are immediately placed in a cold chamber at approximately -40 degrees Celsius to form a thin layer of frost, and then they are preserved long-term in a storage facility equipped with modern technology to maintain temperature and environmental stability.
After excavation, archaeologists reported: The terracotta warriors and cavalry are arranged according to the military formations of the Qin dynasty. Each warrior has a unique height and facial features, with even the expressions on their faces differing.
The Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world and was recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site in 1987.
