Hidden tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, could be revealed using cosmic rays

The transcript discusses a proposal to use cosmic rays to explore the Terracotta Army burial site in China. The site, guarded for 2000 years, is believed to contain a chamber surrounded by rivers of mercury. The proposal suggests using muon detectors to map the hidden areas, a technique previously used in the Great Pyramid of Giza. Historical intrigue and cultural references, such as movies, add to the site's mystery.

What is the primary focus of the proposal mentioned in the Times of London?

• To excavate the Terracotta Army site

• To use cosmic rays to illuminate the burial site

• To guard the site for another 2000 years

• To build a museum around the site

What type of subatomic particle is used in the proposed technique to explore hidden structures?

• Muons

• Neutrons

• Protons

• Electrons

How do the detectors installed below the burial site function in the proposed technique?

• They emit cosmic rays

• They capture images of the site

• They measure the absorption rate of muons

• They dig tunnels to the hidden chambers

What historical element is said to surround the burial chamber according to accounts?

• Rivers of gold

• Rivers of mercury

• Fields of diamonds

• Walls of jade

Where has the proposed technique already been successfully applied?

• The Colosseum in Rome

• The Great Wall of China

• The Great Pyramid at Giza

• The Sphinx of Egypt