How Many Terracotta Warriors Are There?
The terracotta warriors are one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. They were created by Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, in 210-209 BCE. They were built to protect the tomb and the afterlife of the emperor. The warriors were discovered by chance in 1974 by local farmers drilling a water well near Xi’an, China. Since then, the terracotta army has been carefully excavated and preserved as an important part of China’s cultural heritage.
Total Number
The total number of terracotta warrior figures discovered so far is approximately 8,000 according to recent discoveries in 2019 (Artnet News). This enormous collection of life-sized figures was buried around the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China who unified the country.
The army consists of infantry, charioteers, cavalry, archers, and military officers. Each figure displays unique facial features and details in their clothing and armor. The massive scale of the army with thousands of individual warriors highlights the power and ambition of the Qin dynasty.
Three Pits
The Terracotta Army was discovered in three main pits adjacent to Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum near Lintong District, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China. According to Wikipedia, the three pits are about 1.5 km east of the burial mound of Qin Shi Huang and cover an area of approximately 22,000 square meters.
Pit 1 is the largest pit, measuring 230 meters long and 62 meters wide, and contains over 6,000 terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formation. The figures were placed based on rank, with high-ranking officers positioned at the front and lower-ranking soldiers at the back. According to TravelChinaGuide, Pit 1 alone took 700,000 working hours to complete.
Pit 2 is around half the size of Pit 1 and contains cavalry and infantry units along with war chariots. This pit was unfinished when it was excavated. Pit 3 is the smallest of the three pits and houses the command post of the army, containing high-ranking officers and a war chariot.
Size and Details
The Terracotta Army figures are life-sized and intricately detailed. According to Travel China Guide, they stand approximately 1.8-1.9 meters tall on average, with the tallest warrior reaching around 2 meters. Each figure was given an individualized face and hairstyle. Using molds, but then sculpting unique details, the figures exhibit a wide array of facial features and expressions. Their hands are positioned differently, and there are variations in clothing and armor as well. Some warriors are depicted wearing protective armor, while others are shown wearing tunics and trousers. There are even difference in footwear, with most wearing cloth shoes, while higher ranking warriors may have bronze-plated shoes. The amount of individualized detail suggests the sculptors took great care in creating a lifelike army.
Purpose and Meaning
The Terracotta Army was built with the purpose of protecting China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in the afterlife. The warriors were created to be part of the emperor’s mausoleum and buried with him after his death in 210 BCE (Khan Academy).
The army was meant to symbolize the power of the Qin dynasty and act as guardians of the emperor’s tomb. Over 8,000 life-size terracotta figures were created, along with horses, chariots, and weapons (Wikipedia). This massive undertaking reflects the emperor’s desire to continue his reign in the afterlife.
The creation of the warriors was also intended to demonstrate the emperor’s military might and power. Each soldier has a unique facial expression and details, showing the skilled craftsmanship during the Qin dynasty (Study.com). The scale and intricacy of the terracotta army underscores the emperor’s formidable power.
In summary, the purpose of the Terracotta Army was multi-faceted. It was built to protect the emperor in death, display his earthly authority, and provide a lasting legacy of the Qin’s formidable achievements (Wikipedia). The army of warriors was a way for China’s first emperor to extend his rule and military strength into the afterlife.
Discovery
In 1974, the Terracotta Army was discovered quite by accident near Xi’an, Shaanxi by a group of farmers who were digging a well around 1.5 km east of the Qin Emperor’s tomb mound. The farmers dug down around 9-10 meter deep before hitting the top layer of the army. They notified Chinese authorities, which then came in and carefully excavated the entire pit. It was one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, given that the Terracotta Army was completely unknown prior to the farmers’ accidental unearthing of it. Archaeological excavations are still continuing today on site. Since the initial discovery, numerous pits containing thousands more clay warriors have been uncovered.
According to Wikipedia, the Terracotta Army is part of a much larger necropolis build for China’s first emperor Qin Shi Huang. The purpose was to protect the emperor in the afterlife. The army holds an estimated 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots, 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses that were brought to life using mass production methods and various molds. Each warrior is believed to be modeled after a real soldier who served in the emperor’s army. Each one has unique facial features and expressions. Truly a remarkable discovery and feat of human engineering for that era.
Restoration
The Terracotta Army has undergone extensive restoration work over the past few decades. According to Terracotta Army Restoration, since 2000, the Emperor Qin’s Museum has collaborated with various partners to preserve the warriors. The fragile figures have required careful repair and conservation to stabilize the coloring and prevent further deterioration.
As described by New findings unveil production process of Terracotta Warriors, archaeologists on the restoration team have used techniques like 3D scanning and chemical testing to study the original production methods. This has enabled them to recreate the coiling technique likely used by ancient artisans. By uncovering details about the original creation process, restorers can ensure the warriors are conserved appropriately.
Notable Warriors
Among the thousands of terracotta warriors unearthed, certain figures stand out for their individuality and craftsmanship. According to the Smithsonian Magazine (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/terra-cotta-soldiers-on-the-march-30942673/), two bronze chariots found in the No. 2 pit feature an officer standing in each, with actual real clothing and hair preserved in the metal. Additionally, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica (https://www.britannica.com/topic/terracotta-army), a high-ranking warrior named Cavalry Major General Feng Xuan stands out due to his tall hat and armor showing fine details such as indents for buckles and lacing. Perhaps the most remarkable warrior is the General, positioned in the front row of Pit 1. Wearing robes instead of armor, he has a unique hairstyle and face modeling that suggests he holds supreme command of the whole army.
Museum
The Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses opened in October 1979 to house and showcase the Pit 1 terracotta warriors. The museum was purpose-built to give an official home to the sculptures (Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses). It covers around 200,000 square feet making it one of the largest museums in China.
The museum building itself is designed to mimic the layout of the pits and showcase the warriors in their original form. It has three main halls, the largest being over 6,000 square meters that includes Pit 1 and the bronze chariots and horses. The second hall displays terracotta figures from Pits 2 and 3 and contains various artifacts from surrounding tombs (The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses).
The museum allows visitors an up-close view of the terracotta army and exhibits thousands of the warriors all in one place. It provides important preservation and ongoing restoration while letting the public experience a key part of China’s cultural heritage.
Significance
The Terracotta Warriors are incredibly significant historically and culturally. They represent an unprecedented feat of mass production and military organization in ancient China. According to World History Encyclopedia, the Terracotta Army is significant because it “demonstrates the amount of labor and skill required to rule over such a vast territory in the ancient world.” At the height of his power, the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huangdi, controlled over 1 million square miles and commanded over 1 million workers.
The warriors also provide insight into the military structure and weaponry of Qin armies. Each warrior is unique with varying facial features, clothing, hairstyles, and weapons based on rank (Study.com). This diversity reflects the Emperor’s ability to mobilize craftsmen in mass production across his kingdom.
In addition, the warriors hold deep cultural meaning. They were created to guard the First Emperor in the afterlife and reflect ancient Chinese beliefs about the importance of securing the next life after death. Overall, the Terracotta Army is unmatched in scale and historical value, providing a window into the First Emperor’s power, the Qin Dynasty’s military organization, and ancient Chinese culture.
