"The Fearful Hesitation: Unveiling China's First Emperor's Tomb"
Archaeologists are hesitant to open the 2,200-year-old tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, due to fears of deadly booby traps. Ancient accounts describe crossbows and mercury-filled rivers inside the tomb, and a recent study found higher-than-expected mercury concentrations around the site. Qin Shi Huang, known for his obsession with drinking mercury, may have died from mercury poisoning. The tomb, guarded by the Terracotta Army, remains unexplored to preserve its integrity as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.