Archaeologists are too scared to open the tomb of China's first emperor because they fear booby traps

• Archaeologists worry that the tomb of China's first emperor contains deadly booby traps.
• An ancient Chinese historian wrote that the tomb is filled with mercury and crossbows ready to fire.
• A 2020 study found that mercury concentrations around the tomb are higher than to be expected.

Archaeologists are too scared to open up the 2,200-year-old tomb of China's first emperor Qin Shi Huang because they fear it might harbor deadly booby traps.

The mausoleum of the emperor, who ruled from 221 to 210 BCE, is located in Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi. It is guarded by the iconic Terracotta Army, sculptures meant to protect him in the afterlife. 

While parts of the necropolis have been explored, the tomb itself has never been opened due to fears of what might be inside.