Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of unified China from 221-210 BCE, implemented significant reforms including standardization of currency, weights and measures, and a national road system. He also commissioned the construction of the Great Wall to defend against Mongols and relocated court families to solidify his power. The tomb of the first emperor features the famous terracotta army and represents an important archaeological site with remnants dating back over 2000 years.

1. First Emperor
221-210 BCE

2. Qin Shi Huang & Unification of China
• King of Qin State (Zhou Warring States
Period) 247-221 BCE
• Emperor of Unified China, 221-210 BCE
• Major technological and social reforms
under his rule as emperor
• Invents title Huangdi (combination of
Three Sovereigns & Five Emperors of Xia,
plus di meaning heaven)

3. Major innovations
• Standardized weights & measures
• Standardized currency
• National Road System
• Defensive wall in north (against Mongols)
• Standardized script/characters
• Standardized chariot axles
• Moved court families to palace to
consolidate power

4. • Typical scale system. (Imperial salaries
paid in ‘stones’ of grain)

5. • Standard currency- shape in use until 20th
century

6. Remnants of the early defensive
wall, 6th
C BCE

7. • Remnants of Qin era Great Wall

9. • NASA photo:
wall is actually
hard to see from
space

10. • Tomb Mound of First Emperor

11. • Satellite view

12. • Terra cotta Army of the First Emperor’s necropolis

14. • Mingqi (spirit
objects)

17. • Traces of paint

19. • ½ size bronze Chariot from Tomb

20. • ½ size scale. Though buried underground
for over 2000 years, all its movable parts
still work well.

21. • Rob Cohen,
director of
the Mummy:
Tomb of the
Dragon
Emperor,
with re-
created
warriors on
set of the film