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The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological
excavations of the 20th century. Work is ongoing at this site, which is around
1.5 kilometers east of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum, Lintong County,
Shaanxi province. It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China.
Upon ascending the throne at the age of 13 (in 246 BC), Qin Shi Huang, later the
first Emperor of all China, had work begun on his mausoleum. It took 11 years to
finish. It is speculated that many buried treasures and sacrificial objects had
accompanied the emperor in his after life. A group of peasants uncovered some
pottery while digging for a well nearby the royal tomb in 1974. It caught the
attention of archeologists immediately. They came to Xi'an in droves to study
and to extend the digs. They had established beyond doubt that these artefacts
were associated with the Qin Dynasty (211 --206 BC).
The State Council authorized to build a museum on site in 1975. When
completed, people from far and near came to visit. Xi'an and the Museum of Qin
Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses have become landmarks on all travelers'
tinerary.
Life size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle
formations are the star features at the museum. They are replicas of what the
imperial guard should look like in those days of pomp and vigor.
The museum covers an area of 16,300 square meters, divided into three sections:
No. 1 Pit, No. 2 Pit, and No. 3 Pit respectively. They were tagged in the order
of their discoveries. No. 1 Pit is the largest, first opened to the public on
China's National Day, 1979. There are columns of soldiers at the front, followed
by war chariots at the back.
Copyright: Robert Haxne
