Where are the Terracotta Army?
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 the emperor in his afterlife.
The Discovery of the Terracotta Army
The figures date back to the late 3rd century BCE.[1] The discovery of this army of life-sized terracotta warriors and horses in 1974 by local farmers in Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China, was one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century.
What is the Terracotta Army Made of?
The Terracotta Army figures are made of terracotta, a type of earthenware clay. The figures were made in parts, using molds, and then assembled. Each figure has unique facial features, indicating that they were modeled after real people.
Where is the Terracotta Army Located?
The Terracotta Army is located approximately 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles) east of the Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum, which houses the emperor's tomb, in Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China. The figures are housed in three main pits, along with other artifacts such as weapons and chariots.
The Different Types of Terracotta Warriors
The figures vary in height according to their roles, with the tallest being the generals. The figures include warriors, chariots and horses. Estimates from 2007 were that the three pits containing the Terracotta Army held more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which remained buried in the pits near Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum.[2] Other terracotta non-military figures were found in other pits, including officials, acrobats, strongmen and musicians.[3]
Why was the Terracotta Army Built?
The Terracotta Army was built to protect the emperor in his afterlife. It is believed that the army was modeled after the actual army of Qin Shi Huang, and that the figures were meant to represent the power and might of the emperor.
Visiting the Terracotta Army
The Terracotta Army is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist destinations in China. Visitors can view the figures in the three main pits, as well as see other artifacts from the Qin Dynasty.
Q&A
Q: Who is buried in the Terracotta Army? A: While the Terracotta Army surrounds the tomb complex of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, he is not buried among the figures themselves. He rests within a tomb located within a complex at Mount Li.
Q: How old is the Terracotta Army? A: The Terracotta Army figures date back to the late 3rd century BCE, making them over 2,000 years old.
Q: How many Terracotta Warriors are there? A: It is estimated that there are over 8,000 terracotta soldiers, along with horses, chariots, and other figures, buried within the three main pits.