The Terracotta Army isn’t just a popular attraction in Xi’an, it’s also one of the most well-known archaeological discoveries globally. This underground army, made of life-size figures numbering in the thousands, has been silently watching over the first unifier of China for over 2,000 years.
There are different theories about why Qin Shi Huang built this army. Some think he was afraid of the enemies he defeated coming after him in the afterlife, while most archaeologists believe he wanted his authority to continue even after he died.
In this article, we will study the Terracotta Army in Xi’an.
Terracotta Army in Xi’an: Overview
UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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Location |
Lintong District, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China |
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Criteria |
Cultural |
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Inscription |
1987 |
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Website |
bmy.com.cn |
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Coordinates |
34°23′06″N 109°16′23″E |
Terracotta Army in Xi’an: History
Historian Sima Qian, who lived from 145 to 90 BCE, wrote about the construction of the tomb in his book “Records of the Grand Historian.” This book is the first of China’s 24 dynastic histories and was written about a century after the tomb was finished.
The building of the tomb started in 246 BCE, right after Emperor Qin became king at the age of 13, following his father. Around 700,000 workers were forced to work on the project.
Geographer Li Daoyuan, who wrote about six hundred years after the emperor’s death, said that Mount Li was chosen as the tomb’s location because it was rich in jade and gold. According to Li Daoyuan, the emperor wanted to be buried there because of the mountain’s good reputation.
Sima Qian wrote that the emperor’s tomb contained palaces, towers, important people, valuable items, and many other amazing things. He mentioned that there were simulated rivers made of mercury, and the ceiling was decorated with stars and other heavenly bodies.
Some translations of his writings mention “models” or “imitations,” but these words were not in the original text. Sima Qian didn’t talk about the terracotta army in his writings, but high levels of mercury were found in the soil around the tomb, which supports his description.
There are stories from later on that say Xiang Yu, who wanted to be emperor after the first emperor died, looted the tomb. However, there’s evidence that suggests the tomb might not have been robbed.
Also Read: Where are the Terracotta Warriors Located?
Terracotta Army Facts
The Terracotta Army, also known as the “Terracotta Warriors and Horses,” is a collection of life-sized terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. Here are some fascinating facts about the Terracotta Army:
- Discovery: The Terracotta Army was discovered in 1974 by local farmers digging a well near the city of Xi’an in Shaanxi province, China.
- Scale: The Terracotta Army is one of the largest archaeological finds in history. It consists of thousands of life-sized terracotta sculptures, including soldiers, horses, chariots, and weapons.
- Purpose: The army was created to accompany Qin Shi Huang into the afterlife and protect him in his burial complex. It reflects the emperor’s desire for immortality and eternal protection.
- Variety: The Terracotta Army is not just composed of soldiers. It includes different types of warriors, such as infantry soldiers, archers, charioteers, cavalrymen, and officers, each with unique facial features, hairstyles, and uniforms.
- Individuality: Each terracotta warrior is believed to be individually crafted with distinct facial expressions, hairstyles, and armor details, reflecting the craftsmanship and artistic skill of the Qin dynasty artisans.
- Pit Layouts: The Terracotta Army is divided into several pits, with Pit 1 being the largest and most extensively excavated. Pit 1 alone contains over 6,000 terracotta figures arranged in battle formation.
- Restoration and Preservation: Archaeologists have been working to excavate, restore, and preserve the terracotta sculptures since their discovery. Many of the figures were originally painted with bright colors, but much of the paint has faded or peeled off over time.
- Tourist Attraction: The Terracotta Army has become a major tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drawing millions of visitors from around the world to marvel at its historical significance and artistic beauty.
- Ongoing Research: Despite decades of study, archaeologists continue to make new discoveries and advancements in our understanding of the Terracotta Army, including the excavation of additional pits and the exploration of surrounding burial sites.
- Symbol of China: The Terracotta Army is not only a testament to the military might of the Qin dynasty but also serves as a symbol of Chinese civilization, history, and cultural heritage, representing the ingenuity and legacy of ancient China.
Terracotta Army in Xi’an: The First Emperor
- Qin Shihuang (259-210 B.C.E.) was a ruler known for his ambitious conquests, but his ultimate goal was to conquer death itself. In pursuit of immortality, he constructed a grand tomb—an expansive underground city guarded by a life-sized terracotta army consisting of warriors, infantrymen, horses, chariots, and all their accompanying armour and weaponry.
- The discovery of the terracotta army within the First Emperor’s burial complex is undeniably one of the most extraordinary and enigmatic findings from the ancient world. Archaeologists have unearthed a vast citadel, complete with gardens, stables, bronze ritual vessels, jade jewellery, and a trove of gold and silver ornaments.
- Beyond shedding light on ancient customs and lifestyles, studying the physical layout of the underground complex and the meticulous craftsmanship of the terracotta figures provides insight into the themes that shaped the First Emperor’s worldview and enduring legacy.
Terracotta Army in Xi’an: Innovation
The First Emperor is remembered for making big changes that strengthened his rule by modernizing many aspects of society.
While he was in power, he set up rules for things like money, writing, and measurements, making them the same all across his empire.
He built roads and canals that connected different cities and states, making travel and trade easier. He’s also known for continuing the construction of the Great Wall, which is a famous symbol of China today.
People consider him a smart military leader, even though some of his tactics involved a lot of violence and destruction.
But some say that the end result, bringing all the states together under one rule, was worth it, even if it meant using force.
He also used a new way of making things, kind of like an assembly line, to create his terracotta warriors, horses, and chariots.
Terracotta Army in Xi’an: Pits
| Pit | Description | Contents |
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| Pit 3 | Thought to be the headquarters of the army, contains many high-ranking officers. One room in the north was likely used for making offerings before going into battle. | Holds 72 warriors and horses. |
| Pit 2 | Contains around 1,300 warriors and horses. Notable figures include a kneeling archer, a standing archer, a cavalryman with his horse, a mid-ranking officer, and a general. The figures display intricate details in their appearance. | Displays five soldiers up close, showcasing detailed facial expressions, hairstyles, armor, and footwear patterns. |
| Pit 1 | The largest and most impressive pit, housed in a building similar in size to an airplane hangar. Contains around 6,000 warriors and horses, although only 2,000 are on display. Soldiers are positioned facing east, ready for battle. | Features three rows of archers in the front lines, followed by main soldiers armed with various weapons. Includes 35 chariots, mostly decayed over time. |
Terracotta Army in Xi’an: Artefacts
Near the Tomb of Qin Shi Huang, just 20 meters to the west, you’ll find an incredible discovery: a pair of bronze chariots and horses.
These are now showcased in a large modern museum called the Qin Shi Huang Emperor Tomb Artefact Exhibition Hall. Here, you can also see some original weapons and get a close look at a mid-ranking officer figure.
While visiting, you’re allowed to take photos, but using flash or tripods is not allowed, although this rule is often ignored.
Aside from the historical exhibits, the museum offers various souvenir options. You can personalize your own warrior statue with your face on it for ¥100, or take a photo next to a replica warrior for ¥10. Additionally, the souvenir shop in the theater building sells a range of terracotta-themed items, from warrior paperweights to life-size statues. There’s also a Friendship Store where you can purchase jade, jewelry, and other gifts.
Terracotta Army in Xi’an: Weaponry
- Many of the terracotta figures were originally equipped with real weapons, which would have made them look more lifelike. However, most of these weapons were either taken shortly after the army was created or have deteriorated over time.
- Still, archaeologists have found over 40,000 bronze weapons, including swords, daggers, spears, lances, axes, shields, crossbows, and triggers. The most common items discovered are arrowheads, often found in bundles of 100.
- Studies show that these arrowheads were likely made in independent workshops using a production method known as cellular production or Toyotism. Some weapons were coated with a layer of chromium dioxide, about 10-15 micrometers thick, before being buried.
- It was believed that this coating protected the weapons from decay for the past 2,200 years. However, recent research in 2019 found that the chromium was likely contamination from nearby lacquer, and it wasn’t responsible for preserving the weapons. Instead, the slightly alkaline pH and small particle size of the burial soil likely helped keep the weapons intact.
- The swords were made of an alloy containing copper, tin, and other elements like nickel, magnesium, and cobalt. Some swords have inscriptions that indicate they were made between 245 and 228 BCE, showing they were used before being buried.
Terracotta Army in Xi’an: Immortality
- One of the most interesting parts of the burial site is how it shows the young Emperor’s strong desire to live forever. He became the ruler of the Qin state when he was just 13 years old and immediately started planning his burial.
- He wanted his tomb to be like a grand underground palace, guarded by an army of over 7,000 terracotta warriors, horses, chariots, and weapons, all meant to protect him even after he died.
- The Emperor imagined this underground world as a reflection of his life on Earth, but in the afterlife.
- According to the historian Sima Qian from the Han dynasty, the Emperor filled his burial site with treasures and piles of precious gemstones, which he thought represented the stars, sun, and moon. He was very interested in the universe and hoped to find a way to live forever by following its patterns.
- When archaeologists dug up the site, they found something strange: high levels of mercury. They also discovered evidence that this poisonous substance flowed through a complex system of underground channels, mimicking the layout of real rivers and seas around the area.
- Some people think the Emperor believed mercury had special powers that could give him eternal life, so he surrounded himself with it in his tomb.
Terracotta Army in Xi’an: Unification
During a time when China was in chaos, called the Warring States period, the First Emperor came into power and started the Qin dynasty. This dynasty only lasted for a short while, from 221 to 206 B.C.E.
By 221 B.C.E., he brought together the seven fighting states into one country and named himself Qin Shihuang, meaning First Emperor. His rule established a strong and organized government system that later dynasties followed for over 2,000 years.
Before he became emperor, the Qin state existed for more than 50 years, but it was always ruled by a group, not one person.
The leaders of the Qin state had been expanding their territory for years, but it wasn’t until the First Emperor’s time that they finally succeeded in bringing all the divided states together under one rule.
Terracotta Army in Xi’an: Archaeology
- Back in 1974, farmers found a big ancient place. Scientists started digging there and found an incredible city with lots of soldiers.
- Each soldier looked different, wearing different clothes and faces. They also found horses, chariots, special pots, shiny jewelry made of jade, and gold and silver decorations.
- A historian named Sima Qian said that the emperor was scared that the workers who made these treasures might tell others about them. So, after they sealed the treasures inside the tomb, they closed the gates and kept everyone inside.
- This place is also interesting because it was made by a very young person. Records show that the future emperor, who became king when he was just 13 years old, ordered the construction to start right away.
- Lots of people worked on it, but they had to stop when the kingdom was in trouble. So far, scientists have dug up four pits. Three have terracotta soldiers, chariots, and weapons. The fourth pit was empty because they hadn’t finished building it.
- The terracotta soldiers are amazing because each one looks different. Even though they were made individually, they were built using a system that helped make things faster, like a factory. Scientists think there are thousands of objects buried there, but they might never find them all.
Terracotta Army in Xi’an: How to Reach
To visit the Terracotta Warriors, you can easily take a public bus from Xi’an train station. Look for air-conditioned buses 914 or 915, which cost ¥8 and take about an hour to reach the destination.
These buses run every four minutes from 6am to 7pm. Ride the bus until the last stop, which includes a visit to the Huaqing Hot Springs and the Tomb of Qin Shi Huang, where the Terracotta Army is located.
Once you arrive, the parking area for vehicles is about a 15-minute walk from the site. However, if you prefer, you can take an electric buggy for ¥5 instead.
There’s a nice café in the theater building if you’re hungry, and as you walk back to the car and bus park, you’ll pass by various restaurants and fast-food options, including a McDonald’s.
When you’re ready to head back to town, buses depart from the parking lot.
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FAQs on Terracotta Army in Xi’an
How do I get to Terracotta Army from Xi’an?
The Army of the Terracotta Warriors is easily reached by public bus. From Xi’an train station take one of the air-conditioned buses, either 914 or 915 (¥8, one hour), which depart every four minutes from 6am to 7pm.
How many Terracotta Warriors are there in Xian?
Referred to as the eighth Wonder of the World, the original Terracotta Warriors date back to 209 B.C. and were found in 1974 by a worker digging a well. It is believed as many as 8,000 warriors exist, nestled in the grave among chariots, animals, entertainers and other clay representations of afterlife needs.
In which Chinese city is the Terracotta Army?
Emperor Qin’s Tomb. The Terra-Cotta Army protects the tomb of China’s first emperor. Workers digging a well outside the city of Xi’an, China, in 1974 struck upon one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world: a life-size clay soldier poised for battle.
Is Xi’an a Chinese city the Terracotta Army was discovered there?
Discovered by chance in 1974 by local farmers digging a well, the Terra-cotta Army is now described by some as the Eighth Wonder of the World.
Why was the Terracotta Army built in Xian?
The Terracotta Army is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. It is a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in 210–209 BCE with the purpose of protecting him in his afterlife.