Qin Shi Huang’s Mercury Tomb: Why China Won’t Open It

Terracotta warriors from the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, representing the still-sealed mercury tomb of China's first emperor

The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor contains an estimated 100 tons of liquid mercury in channels representing China’s rivers, confirmed by soil samples showing mercury concentrations 100 times above background. China’s official policy keeps it sealed indefinitely. Here is the evidence and the reasoning.