Chinese archaeologists have uncovered two stone inscriptions that are approximately 200 years old, which suggest that China’s first emperor sent an alchemist to sacred mountains in pursuit of eternal life.
The 37-letter text is carved into a rock face near Lake Zhaling, situated 14,100 feet above sea level on the Tibetan Plateau. Tong Tao, a researcher from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, mentioned in Guang Daily that the inscription is dated March 29, 29 BC.
The inscription indicates that Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered the senior official Wu Dahu Yi to lead the alchemist to the Kunlun Mountains to gather herbs believed to provide immortality. This expedition reached Zhaling Lake and noted a remaining distance of 150 Li, which is roughly 62 kilometers.
Tong speculated that a possible destination for the alchemist could be the Xingxiu Sea, referenced in ancient Chinese texts, known to yield “immortal fruits.” This location is approximately 60 kilometers west of where the inscription was found.
This discovery highlights a historic inscription from the Qin dynasty, the only known complete site remaining from that era. Previous sculptural evidence had only survived in fragments or duplicates.
Initially, there was skepticism about the inscription’s authenticity when it was discovered by explorers in 2020. As reported, China’s Cultural Heritage Administration dispatched a team to verify the findings through extensive evaluations.
“The systematic scientific approach has authenticated this ancient stone inscription, setting a new standard for inscription verification in China,” claimed archaeologist Zhao Chao to Xinhua news agency.
Further analysis indicated the technological methods from the Qin dynasty were used, and weathering patterns confirmed that the inscription was indeed ancient.
Despite this ambitious quest for immortality, the emperor’s efforts ultimately failed, as historians believe Qin Shi Huang succumbed to mercury poisoning from consuming potions he thought would prolong his life.
