8. The First Emperor’s Tomb – A Brief History
• Described by Sima Qian
• Robbed and burned soon after Qin’s death
• Known as the site of the tomb by Chinese geographers in later
dynasties, e.g. Li Daoyuan, Shuijing zhu [Commentary on the Water
Classic] “Mount Li was famed for its jade mines, its northern side was
rich in gold, and its southern side rich in beautiful jade; the First
Emperor, covetous of its fine reputation, therefore chose to be buried
there“
• Terracotta warriors found by farmers in 1974
• Ongoing excavations
• Now major tourist site and Chinese national spirit
• Burial chamber remains unexcavated today
9. • ~25km south of Qin’s capital city of Xianlong
• Doubly walls of pounded earth 6 m thick enclose area 2 165 m x 940 m
• Tower at each corner
• Site oriented to compass directions
• Central burial mound oriented E-W: 76 m high, 350 m square
• To W various foundations of official and auxiliary buildings
• To N grave of more than 20 Qin nobles
• N of road to E gateway: three pits of terracotta soldiers and weapons
• W a series of pits with carriages, chariots and horses
• Recent find: pit with acrobats and musicians, exotic birds and animals
• Recent find: extensive, 4-level underground palace modelled on
Xianlong
• Recent find: 1000 m long dam to prevent water damage
The First Emperor’s Tomb – A Brief Overview
10. “Shi Huang began building his mausoleum soon after he became king of Qin… 700,000 men were sent there
from all over his empire. They dug through three layers of groundwater, and poured in copper for the outer
coffin. Palaces and scenic towers for a hundred officials were constructed, and the tomb was filled with rare
artefacts and wonderful treasure. Artisans were instructed to build hidden crossbows, which would
automatically shoot arrows if thieves approached the tomb. Mercury was mechanically poured into the
tomb to form rivers and seas of poison. The ceiling was adorned with the sun, the moon and stars, and laid
out on earth were landscapes of places from across the country. Candles made from the fat of mermaids
were lighted to burn forever.
The Second Emperor said: "It would be inappropriate for the concubines of the late emperor who have no
sons to be out free", and ordered that they should accompany the dead. Thus many died as human burial
objects. After the burial, it was suggested that it would be a serious breach if the craftsmen who
constructed the mechanical devices and knew of its treasures were to divulge those secrets. Therefore after
the funeral ceremonies had completed and the treasures hidden away, the inner gates were blocked, and
the outer gate lowered, immediately trapping all the workers and craftsmen inside. None could escape.
Afterward grass and trees were planted on the surface of the tomb, disguising it as a mound…”
— Sima Qian, Records of the Grand Historian.
11. “After Xiang Yu entered the pass, he opened the
mausoleum. After thirty days of plundering they still
could not exhaust the contents of the mausoleum.
Bandits from east of the pass melted the coffins for
bronze as well as setting fire to it. The fire burned for
more than ninety days.”
- Lia Daoyuan, Shuijing zhu [Commentary on the
Waterways Classic]
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13. Do these geophysics results match the description of Sima Qian?
What might be left for future archaeologists to find?
14. Do mercury levels above Qin’s burial mound (left) resemble this 11th
century map (right), hinting at a mercurial microcosm of China’s
waterways within?
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23. The Terracotta Army
Breakdown of army
• Several ranks of officers
• ~8 000 foot soldiers
• Light and heavy infantry armed with swords, maces, spears, ge
• Light archers and heavy crossbowmen
• ~150 armoured cavalry
• ~130 4-horse war chariots
Recent research
• Paints and dyes used
• Purple colour derived from Taoism alchemy
• Composition and manufacture of metal weapons advanced metalurgy
• Earliest examples of chrome-saline oxide plating
• Earliest use of lathing to sharpen weapons
• Standardisation
• Manufacture dates inscribed on weapons suggests they were used before deposit in pits
