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China finds secret tomb chamber | China finds secret tomb chamber |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A mysterious underground chamber has been found inside the Chinese imperial tomb guarded by the famous Terracotta Army, Chinese archaeologists say. | A mysterious underground chamber has been found inside the Chinese imperial tomb guarded by the famous Terracotta Army, Chinese archaeologists say. |
Historical records describing the tomb of Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of China's Qin dynasty, do not mention the room which is 30 metres (98 feet) deep. | |
The unopened chamber was found at the site near the old imperial capital of Xian using remote sensing technology. | The unopened chamber was found at the site near the old imperial capital of Xian using remote sensing technology. |
One expert says it may have been built for the soul of the emperor. | One expert says it may have been built for the soul of the emperor. |
More than 2,000 years old, the chamber is buried inside a pyramidal earth mound 51m (170 feet) high on top of Qin's tomb. | More than 2,000 years old, the chamber is buried inside a pyramidal earth mound 51m (170 feet) high on top of Qin's tomb. |
It is situated near the life-size terracotta warriors and has four stair-like walls, says Duan Qingbo, a researcher with the Shaanxi Institute of Archaeology. | It is situated near the life-size terracotta warriors and has four stair-like walls, says Duan Qingbo, a researcher with the Shaanxi Institute of Archaeology. |
The Chinese authorities have not given permission to excavate the site. | The Chinese authorities have not given permission to excavate the site. |
It is believed that they wish to perfect archaeological techniques before probing any further, and archaeologists have had to use the sensing technology at the site since 2002. | It is believed that they wish to perfect archaeological techniques before probing any further, and archaeologists have had to use the sensing technology at the site since 2002. |
Despite his brutal methods, Emperor Qin is remembered as a hero in China for forging a unified state. | Despite his brutal methods, Emperor Qin is remembered as a hero in China for forging a unified state. |
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