Most people would find little merit in a searing drought. But, in 1974, while trying to locate water to irrigate their crops, some farmers on the outskirts of Xian, the former imperial capital of China, decided to sink a well. As they dug in the region’s reddish soil, they broke into a dark cavern and began pulling out pieces of metal and shards of terra-cotta. Disappointed because they found no water, they tossed the pieces aside.
They didn’t realize it at the time, but these farmers had dug into history and uncovered a royal secret more than 20 centuries old. Only later did the significance dawn on village officials.
What they discovered in this dig, as well as subsequent archaeological excavations in 1976 and 1980, created an immediate sensation, not only in China but throughout the whole world, and turned the Museum of Qin Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses in Xian into one of China’s top historical sights. The magnitude of these stunning discoveries is astonishing. So far they cover an area of about five acres and fill three pits, set in hangar-like buildings, and tagged in the order of their discovery.
All are full of astonishingly detailed terra-cotta generals; infantry, cavalry and chariot warriors in full battle dress; kneeling archers; chariots, and horses ready to gallop. The rank of the soldiers can be distinguished by their uniforms, the type of arms they are carrying and their hairstyles. It is estimated that there are some 7,000 warriors, though only 1,000 of the 2,000 excavated so far have been restored.
Many of the warrior figures originally held real weapons of the day. To date, more than 10,000, fine-quality pieces have been categorized — spears, swords, dagger-axes, long spears, bows, arrowheads, flat knives and more.
After being buried for more than 2,000 years, the swords still glitter and are sharp enough to cut through 20 pieces of stacked paper.
On the main level are a beautifully crafted standing horseman and kneeling archer displayed in glass cases, as well as two exquisite bronze chariots, each drawn by four horses and manned by charioteers, one sitting and one standing. Each chariot was assembled with 300 components. Each wheel has 30 spokes, and there are more than 1,000 gold and silver elaborate ornamentations such as dragons and phoenix designs adorning the doors and interiors.
All this was created by Qin Shihuang (259 to 210 B.C.), who came to the Qin throne at the age of 13. Until his death, he ruled with an iron fist in a climate of utter fear and made himself China’s first emperor after unifying local warring kingdoms. His longing for immortality began soon after he ascended the throne when he ordered the construction of an enormous, opulent tomb (as yet unexcavated). He built a replica in terra cotta of his own army all around this burial site to guard and protect him into eternity.
Excavations of the site are expected to continue for decades, as archaeologists believe this is only part of an even larger terra-cotta army still buried around the tomb. Some figures have been restored, thousands more lie in ruin, and visitors today can see handfuls of restorers among the trench-like partitions hard at work trying to piece together one of the world’s greatest jigsaw puzzles. The tedious work sometimes is simple, like attaching a head or a leg; sometimes it’s a more complex matter of trying to identify and carefully assemble dozens of scattered fragments.
In the meantime, there is much to see. In Pit 1, site of the original discovery and the largest of the three, are arrayed masses of warriors in silent attacking battle formation standing in brick-paved trenches 15 to 20 feet deep. There’s a vanguard of crossbow and longbow bearers; in back, armored soldiers hold spears, dagger-axes and other weapons, and are accompanied by horse-drawn chariots. Further back are still-to-be-excavated sections with shattered pieces strewn around; other fragments remain partially buried in the packed soil. Pit 2, excavated in 1976, contains about 1,000 figures, including kneeling archers clad in protective armor, vaulting horses and 64 war chariots, while Pit 3 seems more like a command center with a lineup of 68 warriors and guards of honor.
All these figures were made through a process of sculpting, firing and painting. Various shades of bright colors were originally applied. Uniforms were painted red or green and armor painted brown or black. Even though these sculptures had been buried underground for centuries, traces of the original colors, though faded, still remain.
Amazingly, no two faces or expressions are alike. Some are clean-shaven, others have moustaches; some have coiled hair or topknots, while expressions range from stern, glaring or solemn to half-smiles, cheerful or proud. And the fine detail is astonishing, for even the stitches on the soles of the boots are clearly visible to the naked eye.
