Obviously the most notable modern example is holocaust denial or extreme Japanese nationalists that deny the Nanking Massacre occurred. On a lower level, you have websites like InfoWars which rush to claim that virtually every tragedy is staged by the US government and didn't actually occur.
Is this a strictly modern phenomenon, or has denialism been something which has always had it's "place" in society? Are there any notable historical examples of denialist movements akin to holocaust denial existing throughout history?
One of the best examples of this would be the first Chinese Emperor, Qin Shi Huang (260-210 B.C.). He ordered the destruction of almost all books in the empire except for ones about astrology, agriculture, medicine, divination, and the history of the State of Qin. So all history and philosophy from before his reign. He literally wanted Chinese history to start with him, and he ordered the execution of hundreds of scholars who were found to be hiding forbidden books.
This was also the guy that was obsessed with immortality and drank potions with Mercury in them, which were likely one of the biggest contributors to his demise.
Does the reported superstition that China will fall if the tomb is open hold any sway?
Or is it purely for preservation & the danger of opening the tomb that they've left it alone?