Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huangdi

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informed about the layout of the tomb. He says, ''The tomb was filled with reproductions of palaces, pavilions and administrative buildings as well as beautiful vessels, precious stones and other rare items. Craftsmen were ordered to install a refined system of loaded crossbows that would kill anybody who approaches the grave in an attempt to rob it. The rivers of the empire, the Yellow River and the Yangtse, were reproduced in quicksilver and moved by a mechanical system which made them run into a miniature ocean. The ceiling was painted with the constellations and the regions of the country were painted at the bottom. The oil lamps were lit with whale-oil so that they would burn for as long as possible."