Explanation: Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, had a massive and elaborate tomb built (still not fully excavated) for himself to celebrate his imperial achievement. It was to be filled with ornate decorations (including the famous Terracotta Army nearby), mechanisms, and traps for any intruders! How exciting!
… it was also decided that many people should ‘follow’ him into death, including many of his concubines, and those who knew the design secrets of the tomb… like those who worked on it. The last part of construction was, supposedly, thus a triggered collapse which trapped the hapless workers and designers in the tomb with their Emperor for all eternity.
What a heartwarming story!
Somebody had to design the collapsing mechanism. I wonder what happened to him.
Qin Shi Huang:
The terracotta army wasn’t enough. Had to make sure some meat soldiers were included, too.
