10. The Tomb of Qin Shi Huang and the Terracotta Army
The burial complex of Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, is legendary for its scale and mystery. Thousands of life-sized terracotta soldiers guard his tomb, each with unique features—an astonishing feat of ancient artistry. Yet, the emperor’s main tomb chamber remains mostly untouched. Archaeologists are wary of disturbing potential mercury traps and other advanced preservation measures described in ancient texts. What lies within the heart of the complex is still unknown.
