The Terracotta Army
Currently the excavation of the Terracotta Army is
continuing and this time the dig is open for public
viewing.
The Terracotta Army Museum lies 1.5 km east of The Tomb of Qin Shihuang, known as the First Emperor, who unified China 2200 years ago. Emperor Qin, from whom China gets its name, ordered the creation of this model army.
Every figure differs from those around in facial features and expression, clothing, hairstyle, and gestures. The horsemen, the longbow bearers, the archers and the senior officers and generals were positioned in strict accordance with the ancient directives on the Art of War. Many of the figures originally held real weapons of the time, such as bronze swords, longbows, arrows, spears, dagger-axes and other long-shafted weapons. Surface treatment of the weapons made them resistant to rust and corrosion so that after being buried for over 2000 years they were still sharp.
The Terracotta Army has lain underground for more than 2000 years. However, in 1974, farmers digging a well uncovered one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world. The first part of the Terracotta Army site to be discovered was named Vault One. In 1976, two other vaults were uncovered 20-25 meters from Vault One, and were named Vault Two and Vault Three.
Excavation of the earth and timber vaults revealed thousands of life-size terracotta warriors in battle formation - a whole army which would accompany its emperor into immortality. The discovery was a real eye-opener to the whole world, as the vaults are so big, the figures are so vivid and the number of the figures is so incredibly large!
The Terracotta Army figures supply abundant and detailed artifacts for the study of the military, cultural and economic history of that period. The Terracotta Army figures excavation was regarded as one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century. In December 1987, UNESCO selected the Tomb of the First Emperor (including the Terracotta Army Vaults) as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Standing in the vaults, you would be amazed by such a grand ancient army formation, which would transport you back to the ancient warring states period. The tomb is a treasury for the Chinese people, and for the whole world as well.
The museum (see plan view) mainly consists of three vaults and an exhibition hall: Vault One, Vault Two, Vault Three, and The Exhibition Hall of the Bronze Chariots.
News about Terracotta Army
New Terracotta Warriors Dig Begins in Xi’an, Tourists can see the Excavation
- updated on June 22
A new Terracotta Warriors dig has been going on in Xi’an, China since June 13. The dig will last for half a year and tourists can witness the excavation in progress.
The famous Terracotta Warriors are life-size clay figures created to protect the tomb of China’s first emperor Qin Shihuang in the afterlife. They were first uncovered in 1978, 2000 years after they were created. Called the Eighth Wonder of the World, they are among China’s biggest tourist draws. Now Chinese archaeologists have begun the third dig of the Terracotta Warriors after a 24-year break. The extension of this excavation is a 2152 square foot patch within the tomb’s main pit, Pit Number One and archaeologists expect to uncover 11 statues
Terracotta Army Guide
- Terracotta Army Pictures
- Terracotta Army Tours
- Terracotta Army Vault One
- Terracotta Army Vault Two
- Terracotta Army Vault Three
- Exhibition Hall of the Bronze Chariots
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