The terra-cotta army of the first emperor of China, Qin Shihuang, is located just to the east of the city of Xi'an. There are ranks of infantrymen, cavalry, archers and chariots numbering in the thousands. These soldiers are only a part of what is said to be the largest tomb in the world. There are legends of a miniature underground city with rivers of mercury, but neither this city nor the actual final resting place of the emperor have ever been discovered.

The Qin Dynasty was overthrown shortly after the death of Qin Shihuang, and his tomb was ransacked by the conquerors. For 2000 years it lay buried and forgotten. In 1974, some farmers were digging a well, and discovered some pieces of pottery. The experts that came to examine the site kept uncovering more and more pieces, until they realized the scope and importance of this find. The sign on the right edge of this picture marks the location of that "well of discovery".

The excavators could tell the identities of the various figures both by their clothing and by their positions. With arms outstretched to hold the reins, this chariot driver stands next to his four horses.

Although the bodies were cast using several different molds, the heads of the warriors are all different. Perhaps when we look at them, we are seeing the faces of the real soldiers who served Emperor Qin Shihuang. They say that anyone can find their own face among the ranks of the terra-cotta warriors. We think Lee shares the features of the warrior in the front, second from the left.

At the back of Pit 1, there is an area where the warriors are being restored. All of the figures were in pieces when they were discovered and must be put back together like a giant jigsaw puzzle. It takes from a year to a year and a half to reassemble a single warrior.

Pit 2 is a large area containing chariots and archers. Since it is largely unexcavated, it serves as an illustration of what the figures look like when they are first uncovered. This opening contains the remains of a chariot, including fragments of the driver and horse.

Pit 3, the smallest of the three pits, is thought to be the headquarters for the terra-cotta army. The figures in this room are an honor guard. They were holding ceremonial weapons, and all have the same clothing and hairstyle. (well, the ones that have heads have the same hairstyle...)

A few of the restored figures are on display in glass cases. This allows visitors to get close and appreciate the details and workmanship. Included among them are this cavalryman and his horse,

And this crossbow archer.

Other figures that have been discovered recently, but are not on display to the public include civil officials and acrobats.

This arrangement also allows visitors to get their picture taken with their favorite terra-cotta warrior. Here, Lee poses with a general,

And Deanna poses with a mid-ranking officer.

An exhibition hall houses two bronze chariots found in a different part of the tomb. The chariots are decorated with a cloud design, and the horses' halters are made of tubes of silver and gold. Unlike the terra-cotta warriors, these chariots are only half life-size. The first chariot is the "inspection carriage", going before the emperor. This second , larger chariot would carry the emperor himself.

Copyright 2006, Dr. Lee Williams

Last Modified: 5 February 2006

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