Are the Terracotta Warriors Made of Real People?
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As one of the eight wonders of the world, the Terracotta Army has always been surrounded by various rumors, one of which is that they were molded from real people. However, this statement not only sounds cruel but is also wrong in many aspects. Experts have confirmed that the Terracotta Army was not molded from living people but from clay.
Why Are There Rumors That the Terracotta Army Was Made from Real People?
There are several reasons why this rumor persists:
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Ancient Burial Practices: In ancient times, especially before the construction of the Terracotta Army, many rich and noble people were buried with living people after death, so that the living could serve them in the afterlife.
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Qin Shi Huang's Reputation: Emperor Qin Shi Huang was known for his ruthlessness and was recorded to have buried Confucian scholars alive. Therefore, people speculate that he might have used living people for the Terracotta Army.
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The Lifelike Appearance of the Terracotta Army: The figures of the Terracotta Army are incredibly realistic, each with a unique appearance. This level of detail leads some to believe it would be impossible for artisans to achieve without using living models.
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Influence from Television Dramas: There are scenes in some TV dramas depicting live people being covered in mud and then fired in a kiln to become Terracotta Warriors, further fueling the rumor.
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Sensationalized Reporting: Misleading news reports claiming that the Terracotta Army "came back to life" contribute to the misconception that they were originally made from humans. Read More: 3 Misinformation Cases about Terracotta Army Coming Back to Life
Three Reasons Why the Terracotta Army Was Not Molded from Real People
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The Decline of Human Sacrifice: During the Qin Dynasty, human sacrifice was not prevalent. The Qin State abolished the custom of using real people as burial objects as early as the Duke Xian of Qin. By the time the Terracotta Army was built, this barbaric custom was no longer popular.
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Lack of Human Remains: Archaeologists have discovered that the Terracotta Warriors are hollow in the upper body and solid in the lower body, and no human remains have ever been found inside.
Moreover, the firing of the Terracotta Army requires a high temperature of over 1000 degrees Celsius. If they were made of real people, the expressions and postures of the Terracotta Warriors could not be so perfect.
- The Value of Human Life: In order to defeat the other five states and unify China, wars continued, and the population dropped sharply. Therefore, one of the most precious things for Qin Shi Huang was the population. It is statistically recorded that there are about 8,000 Terracotta Warriors. Qin Shi Huang could not have let so many people be buried with him.
What Is the Terracotta Army Actually Made Of?
Clay is the main material used to make the Terracotta Army. Experts have verified that the "loess" for making the pottery clay was collected not far from the Terracotta Army pit.
Firstly, the body of the Terracotta Warrior was made from clay using molds from bottom to top, followed by the head, arms, and hands, which were then assembled. The head needed further meticulous carving. Then came the main process of firing. After this, the head was assembled, and the whole Terracotta Warrior was glazed and painted.
FAQ
1. Are the Terracotta Warriors hollow?
The Terracotta Warriors are hollow in their upper bodies and solid in their lower bodies. This construction technique helped to prevent cracking during the firing process and also reduced the overall weight of the figures.
2. Why did Qin Shi Huang want a terracotta army?
Qin Shi Huang believed that the Terracotta Army would protect him in the afterlife and help him to conquer other worlds. The army was a symbol of his power and ambition, and it was meant to inspire awe and fear in his enemies.
3. How long did it take to build the Terracotta Army?
It is estimated that it took about 40 years and 700,000 workers to create the entire Terracotta Army.