The First Emperor's Mega Tomb: Uncovering a Lost World | SPECIAL | National Geographic

The Legacy of the First Emperor of China

The Rise of the Warrior King

• In 230 BC, a warrior king unites seven warring kingdoms into one empire, marking the beginning of a significant historical era in East Asia.

• This king, known as the King of Qin, establishes a civilization that lasts for over 2,000 years and is named after him: China.

• After nine years of brutal combat, he becomes China's first Emperor; his story has become legendary but holds hidden truths within his tomb.

The Tomb Complex

• The first Emperor's tomb is located at what is believed to be the largest burial complex globally, spanning 22 square miles—larger than Egypt's Valley of the Kings.

• Albert Lin introduces himself as a National Geographic explorer using technology to uncover secrets beneath the Earth's surface; he aims to investigate this monumental site.

• Despite being surrounded by military bases and strict access restrictions, Lin gains unprecedented permission to fly drones over this historically rich area.

Discoveries at the Site

• Archaeologists are making groundbreaking discoveries at this site, including military technology and remains that could alter historical narratives about the first Emperor.

• Lin expresses awe at standing before the Terracotta Army—8,000 life-sized warriors created for battle in the afterlife—a testament to the Emperor's vision and ego.

Insights into Historical Narratives

• Each Terracotta warrior features unique facial characteristics; their arrangement reflects real military formations from ancient times.

• Lin shares his personal connection to this heritage while emphasizing how much knowledge about China's founding father comes from historical texts like Shi Ji written posthumously.

Uncovering New Evidence

• Current excavations reveal new treasures that challenge existing beliefs about the first Emperor’s capabilities and achievements during his reign.

• Among findings are intricately crafted stone armor pieces thought to belong to soldiers meant for use in an afterlife battle alongside their emperor.

• Originally buried with weapons like swords that were functional even after two millennia; many have been looted over time but still provide insight into ancient warfare practices.

Revolutionary Findings

• The extensive technology found within these tomb structures supports legends surrounding a supreme warrior king who meticulously organized his army for both life and death battles.

• Collaborating with Chinese archaeologists allows Lin to combine drone data with excavation maps revealing more about this vast megatomb complex.

China's First Emperor and the Terracotta Warriors

The Vision of the Tomb

• ALBERT discusses how China's first Emperor envisioned his tomb with military precision, leading to the creation of mega structures over it.

• The vast workforce was capable of monumental construction, raising questions about the methods used for such an ambitious project.

The Mystery of Life-Sized Statues

• Scholars are puzzled by the sudden appearance of 8,000 life-like Terracotta Warriors, as no life-sized statues existed in China prior to this. Most believe they were developed independently.

• Art historian Lukas Nickel presents a theory suggesting that these warriors may have been influenced by Greek sculptures found in Central Asia around the same era as the first Emperor.

Unique Characteristics of Terracotta Warriors

• LUKAS emphasizes that there is nothing comparable to the Terracotta Warriors in Chinese history before their emergence; previous figurines were not life-sized or complex enough.

• The sudden appearance of these highly detailed human figures raises questions about their origins and influences from other cultures.

Possible Foreign Influence

• If traditional explanations fail, LUKAS suggests looking for foreign sources, particularly Greek influence on Chinese art during this period. He shows photographs of Greek statues found near Uzbekistan that share similarities with the Terracotta Warriors.

• Geographical proximity between Chinese and Greek cultures at this time could imply possible communication and exchange between them. This challenges existing narratives about east-west interactions in history.

Historical Context and Evidence

• Historical texts indicate that 12 foreign statues appeared at China's western border around 221 BC, coinciding with Alexander the Great's use of statues for propaganda purposes in his empire a century earlier. This suggests a potential influence on the first Emperor’s decisions regarding statue creation for his capital city.

• There is speculation about whether Greek artisans traveled to China to create these statues, indicating direct contact between East and West much earlier than previously believed—potentially rewriting historical timelines if proven true.

Forensic Investigation into Origins

• ALBERT investigates a mysterious skull found at a mass grave site associated with the tomb, which may provide clues about foreign presence at this location; its features do not align typically with known Chinese characteristics.

• Experts from Dundee University analyze this skull and find it exhibits both East Asian traits alongside atypical features like a pronounced brow ridge and nose shape, hinting at possible non-Chinese ancestry among those buried there.

Implications on Historical Understanding

• While not conclusive proof, findings suggest there may have been foreigners involved in creating ideas or artifacts related to the first Emperor’s tomb—a shocking notion within conservative interpretations of Chinese history where such lifelike representations had never been made before until then.

The Quest for Immortality

• As paranoia sets in regarding death, legend has it that the Emperor sought immortality through mercury—a substance ultimately harmful rather than beneficial—leading him into madness while isolating himself from others including his ministers.( t = 1434)

The Rise and Fall of China's First Emperor

The Threat to the Empire

• Albert discusses the mental decline of the first Emperor, which poses a significant threat to China's future. The Prime Minister plots to place the Emperor's youngest son, Hu Hai, in power.

• A recent discovery of 2,000-year-old scrolls on the Hong Kong black market reveals details about the brutal end of the Emperor's reign.

The Coup for Power

• The scrolls indicate that Hu Hai's ascension was marked by a coup as he and the Prime Minister acted quickly following the Emperor's death.

• In 210 BC, after keeping the Emperor’s death secret, they plot against Fu Su, the rightful heir who is away defending at the Great Wall.

Shocking Revelations from Ancient Scrolls

• Contrary to legend stating Fu Su committed suicide, scrolls reveal Hu Hai murdered his brother Fu Su to eliminate threats to his claim.

• Archaeologists uncover a skull believed to belong to Fu Su, along with an arrowhead indicating a close-range execution-style kill.

Evidence of Ruthlessness

• Analysis shows that an arrowhead embedded in Fu Su’s skull suggests a ruthless execution method using a crossbow.

• The scrolls claim Hu Hai not only killed Fu Su but also all his siblings; six other remains were found buried alongside him.

Elimination of All Threats

• Hu Hai ensures no remaining threats exist by targeting concubines who might bear heirs from the first Emperor.

• Disturbing discoveries include bones of young women believed to be concubines potentially carrying heirs; their remains tell a story of brutality.

Archaeological Discoveries and Historical Claims

• Albert meets archaeologist Huan Yang regarding findings near concubine skull remains adorned with jewelry indicative of their status.

• Excavations reveal more than 98 tomb sites containing mutilated remains of young women linked to Hu Hai’s violent consolidation of power.

Treasures and Legends Surrounding the Tomb

• Discussion shifts towards legendary treasures within the first Emperor's tomb as described in historical texts like Shi Ji.

• Clues suggest elaborate constructions including mercury rivers and booby traps designed for protection against intruders are part of this legendary narrative.

Exploring the Secrets of a Manmade Pyramid

Discovery and Structure

• The investigation involves using probes and geophysical methods to uncover information about a significant cavity within the structure.

• The pyramid-shaped mountain is entirely artificial, with each side measuring a quarter of a mile. It contains a stone structure that is 410 feet wide, 476 feet long, and has walls standing 45 feet tall.

• At its base lies an inverted pyramid that descends deeper into the ground, hinting at complex architectural design.

Evidence of Historical Significance

• The burial chamber is located at the bottom of this manmade pyramid, with evidence suggesting it may contain high concentrations of mercury, indicating possible rivers of liquid metal beneath.

• This tomb is believed to house a historical figure characterized by vision and ruthless determination—a military leader who unified seven warring states to form China.

Legacy of Leadership

• The leader not only envisioned monumental projects like the Great Wall but also constructed this extraordinary tomb complex, which stands as the largest in the world.

• His legacy includes laying down the foundations for his nation while being described as cruel and eventually mad.