Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum

Calling himself the First Emperor after China's unification, Qin Shi Huang is a pivotal figure in Chinese history, ushering nearly two millennia of imperial rule. After unifying China he undertook gigantic projects, including the first version of the Great Wall of China, and his own tomb. In 215 BC Qin Shi Huang ordered General Meng Tian with 300,000 men to begin construction of his mausoleum. Sima Qian's (a historian) description of the tomb includes replicas of palaces and scenic towers, "rare utensils and wonderful objects", 100 rivers made with mercury, representations of stars made of jewelry and crossbows rigged to shoot anyone who tried to break in. Secrets were maintained, as most of the workmen who built the tomb were killed. As this was not enough an army of life-size terracotta statues was guarding the mausoleum. The figures vary in height according to their roles, with the tallest being the generals. The figures include warriors, chariots and horses. Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits. Other terracotta non-military figures were also found in other pits and they include officials, acrobats, strongmen and musicians. The inner core of the well sealed mausoleum is not documented yet, but they found a mercury prescense which is 100 times higher than normal.