Pyramid-like Chamber Discovered in Ancient Tomb
of Chinese Emperor
©Lorena Loo
of Chinese Emperor
©Lorena Loo
The Xinhua News Agency has reported the existence of a pyramid-shaped structure 30 meters in height (98.4 feet) buried within the tomb of Qinshihuang, the first emperor of China. Chinese archaeologists confirmed the find five years after they began probing the tomb using radar and other remote sensing technologies.
The tomb of Emperor Qinshihuang, who reigned over 2,000 years ago, is located near Xi'an, an ancient capital in Shaanxi province. Over 100 dirt mounds resembling pyramids are scattered throughout this region. These structures are purportedly mausoleums with that of Qinshihuang being the oldest.
The tomb of Emperor Qinshihuang, who reigned over 2,000 years ago, is located near Xi'an, an ancient capital in Shaanxi province. Over 100 dirt mounds resembling pyramids are scattered throughout this region. These structures are purportedly mausoleums with that of Qinshihuang being the oldest.
© Copyright Lorena Loo
There is also a Great Pyramid in Xi'an as well. The so-called Great White Pyramid is the largest pyramid in the region and belongs to the tomb of the Empress Wu of the Tang Dynasty.
Qin's pyramid mound is 51 meters (167 feet) in height and its square base has sides of length 305 meters (1000 feet). According to records, it was originally 137 meters (450 feet) tall back when it was constructed circa 210 BCE. The world famous terra cotta warriors are nearby. Legions of these soldiers and horses were buried there to guard Qin after his death.
According to Duan Qingbo of the Shaanxi Institute of Archaelogy, the researchers were not permitted to excavate the tomb. Remote sensing was the only way they had to study its internal structure. They have determined the pyramid-like chamber sits above the tomb's main body which is underground. It has four surrounding stair-like walls with each wall having nine steps of platforms. The researchers believe the purpose of the chamber was to provide an avenue for the emperor's spirit to depart.
This notion coincides with standard Egyptological theory of the purpose of the shafts from the King's and Queen's Chambers in the Great Pyramid of Egypt on the Giza Plateau. Those shafts are thought to be ritual passageways for the soul of the dead pharoah to reach the afterlife.
According to Duan Qingbo of the Shaanxi Institute of Archaelogy, the researchers were not permitted to excavate the tomb. Remote sensing was the only way they had to study its internal structure. They have determined the pyramid-like chamber sits above the tomb's main body which is underground. It has four surrounding stair-like walls with each wall having nine steps of platforms. The researchers believe the purpose of the chamber was to provide an avenue for the emperor's spirit to depart.
This notion coincides with standard Egyptological theory of the purpose of the shafts from the King's and Queen's Chambers in the Great Pyramid of Egypt on the Giza Plateau. Those shafts are thought to be ritual passageways for the soul of the dead pharoah to reach the afterlife.
Left: Statue of Emperor Shihhuang, the first emperor of China
Right: Tomb of Qinshihuang
Right: Tomb of Qinshihuang
Author Note: I do not subscribe to standard Egyptological theory as to the purpose of the shafts in the Great Pyramid of Giza or the pyramid-like structure in the tomb of Emperor Qinshihuang. The above article merely reports the latest archaelogical findings concerning this structure as of July 2007.
Text and images (unless otherwise indicated in the credits) are copyrighted
© by Lorena Loo
In the instances where images in the public domain have been modified as in the case of geometrizing them, the modified images are no longer public domain but the copyright of the author who made the modifications. Here that means me, Lorena Loo. That is by copyright law.
© by Lorena Loo
In the instances where images in the public domain have been modified as in the case of geometrizing them, the modified images are no longer public domain but the copyright of the author who made the modifications. Here that means me, Lorena Loo. That is by copyright law.
Images:
Statue of Emperor Qinshihuang: Photo by Nat Krause who has released the image into the public domain.
Tomb of Qinshihuang: Photo from Xinhua News Agency Online files.
Excavation pit of terra cotta warriors in Xi'an Museum: Photo by Robin Chen who has released the image into the public domain.
Statue of Emperor Qinshihuang: Photo by Nat Krause who has released the image into the public domain.
Tomb of Qinshihuang: Photo from Xinhua News Agency Online files.
Excavation pit of terra cotta warriors in Xi'an Museum: Photo by Robin Chen who has released the image into the public domain.
About 1,500 terra cotta warriors and horses were excavated from the surrounding pits of Emperor Qin's mausoleum in the 1970s. This is a photo of an excavation pit housed in the Xi'an Museum.