In
1974, vaults containing terra-cotta figures were
found 1.5 kilometers east of the Emperor Qin's mausoleum. This vast
treasure lies 35 kilometres (20 miles) east of Xi'an, at the foot
of Lishan Mountain.
Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of all China,at the age of 13,
ordered to be built shortly after he ascended the throne. It
took 11 years to finish.Today "the eighth Wonder of the
world" has almost become synonym of the Terra-cotta Warriors
and Horses. In 1987, the Emperor Qin's Mausoleum was put on the list
of the UNESCO as a world-class cultural heritage site.
Museum
of Qin Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses
The terra cotta warriors were accidentally discovered by Chinese peasants
while digging a well. With government approval, an archaeological
team from Shaanxi Province arrived at the site on July 17,1974 and
began their explorations.The State Council authorized to build a museum
on site in 1975. More Information...
Other
Discovery
In 1978, a fourth pit was discovered; it is shaped as the Chinese
character zhong (middle). This room is probably empty because the
workers did not complete the warriors in time for Qin's death.
In
1980, two large bronze horse chariots were found.They were listed
as No.1 and No.2 respectively according to their discovery.Both are
carts pulled by four horses, lined up with one in front of the other.
No.1 cart is equipped with bows, arrowheads and shields; it appears
to act as guard for the No.2 cart on its back.According to the initial
research, a lot of skills such as casting, welding, riveting, bordering,
embedding, carving and sculpturing were used in making the chariots.
Variation
of Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses
The
terra-cotta warriors and horses were not only big in size, but made
exquisitely with high technology and vivid images.
There
are four main categories of figures: chariot warriors, infantrymen,
cavalrymen, and horses. There are generals, middle ranking officers,
lower ranking officers, ordinary soldiers, and armored warriors. The
latter can be further divided according to their headgear into warriors
with a square scarf, a cylindrical bun, or a flat bun. There are kneeling
warriors as well. Each soldier has a distinct facial expression. Even
the horses found at this site have different poses.
The
terra-cotta warriors are varied in height and weight, the lowest one
is 1.78 meters, while the highest is 1.97 meters; the lightest is
less than 110 kilograms, while the heaviest is more than 300 kilograms.The
bodies of the warriors are all made separately and join the models
together to complete the work. Both the hands and the heads of the
soldiers are detachable. These soldiers were made to be naturalistic.
More than 10 kinds of colors made of mineral such as red, green, blue,
yellow, purple, brown, white, black and deep red were used, which
shows that people living 2000 years ago had already produced and widely
used these colors.
Xian Tour Routes Covers Terracotta Warriors and Horses
XD-1. Terracotta Army one day tour
XD-3. One day private tour of Terracotta Army and Huaqing Hotspring
XK-1. 2 Days Xian Tour
XK-2. 3 Days Xian Tour
XK-3. Xian 4 Days Tour of Terracotta Warrior
XK-4. Xian 4 days tour of Terracotta Army and Xianyang Terracotta Museum
XK-6. Xian 4 Days Tour of Terracotta Warrior and Mt. Hua
XK-7. Xian 6 Days Private Tour
XH-1. Xian 2 Days Private Tour of Terracotta Warriors
XH-2. Xian 3 Days Package Tour
XH-3. 4 Days Organized Xian Tour of Terracotta Warrior
XH-4. 4 Days Xian Tour of Terracotta Warrior and Qianling Mausoleum
XH-5. 4 Days Xian Private Tour of Terracotta Warrior and Famen Temple
XH-6. 4 Days Xian Tour of Terracotta Warrior and Mt. Huashan
XH-7. 6 Days Xian Complete Tour
Photo of Terracotta Warriors
          
|
Home: China Attractions :Xian Attractions :
Home