Xian part3 the terra-cotta warriors

 Bing Ma Yong, the Terra-cotta Warriors, is one of China's most famous and popular tourist sites and one of the most sensational archeological discovers of the 20th century. Mr. Yang and three friends where digging a well in 1974 and came across an underground chamber of earth and timber that turned out to be one of the many concealed pits that contained the life-size warriors and horses made of terracotta.

Some say it is 8th wonder of the world. These terracotta figures date back to 210-209 BC and were made to protect the emperor in his afterlife. Emperor Qin came to the throne at the age of 13 and he started work on his mausoleum and armies soon after. He later became the first emperor of China.

 It took over 700,000 workers and 11 years to complete the project. Made in local workshops, studies show that eight face moulds were used and then clay was added for the individual facial features. After completion the figures were placed in the pits in precise military formation according to rank and duty. They were also brightly painted  and given real weapons of spears, swords, and crossbows creating a realistic appearance. The figures include 8000 soldiers, 130 chariots, 520 horses, 150 cavalry horses and an assortment of non-military figures including officials, acrobats, strongmen and musicians.

The Qin Terracotta Army Museum was set up to protect the artifacts and provide access to the area. There are 3 pits and massive buildings were constructed to cover the pits. Pit 1 is the largest, it is the size of over 2-1/2 football fields. It is divided into 11 corridors totaling 38 rows, estimated to house more than 6000 soldiers. Only a 1/3 of the pit has been excuvated uncovering 2000 warriors. Each pit was paved with bricks and originally had wooden ceilings supported by large beams and post. The ceiling were covered with mats and then mounded with soil 6 to 9 feet high.

One interesting fact is that all who were involved on the engineering and constructing of the tomb perished either by the terrible work conditions or were sacrificed or interred with the emperor to safeguard the secrets and the where-about of the tomb. 

Pit 1

officers lined up in front, rows of soldiers follow

Pit 1 with 3 rows of officers

all of these soldiers have been reconstructed from pieces found in the pit

in the background, this is how the soldiers were found after being buried for 2000 years 

close up, click on to enlarge

Pit 2 is 60 feet away and is just over the size of one football field, it is estimated to house over 1000 soldiers, 500 horse-drawn chariots and saddles horses.

very little has been unearthed

all of the corridors clasped over time 

archaeologist are waiting for improved technology before open these pits 

Pit 3 is 75 feet away from pit 2 is much smaller. In this pit was found one chariot, four horses and 68 warriors and based on the layout it was most likely the headquarters of the army. 

officers headquarters 

click on to enlarge