Terra-cotta Soldiers

By: Brooke Pearson

Discovery of Soldiers

• Was sited by a famer in March of 1974

• These soldiers were discovered when Chinese peasants were digging a water well.– Well was drilled east of Lishan (Mount Li)

• This discovery had encouraged archeologists to go to Shaanxi, China to investigate.

Purpose of the army

• The army was buried along with the Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi.

• Their purpose was to help Qin rule another empire in the after life.

Construction of the Army

• According to Sima Qian (historian) the construction of the army began in 246 BC and involved 700,000 workers.

• They were manufactured in workshops by government laborers and local craftsman.

• The head arms, legs, and torsos were created separately and then pieced together.

Continued…

• It has been found that eight molds were used and then clay would be added to provide individual features.

• Once they were assembled facial features where added.

• When they were completed they were put into pits in exact military position according to rank and duty.

The Pits• There were three pits of soldiers….

– Pit 1: The largest of all pits. In the front there were columns of soldiers, and war chariots had followed in the back.

– Pit 2: Found in 1976 and is located 20 meters northeast of pit one. It contained 9,000 soldiers and 90 chariots of wood.

– Pit 3: Also discovered in 1976 and is 23 meters northwest of pit one. Thought to be the command center of armed forces. Held 68 warriors, a war chariot, and four horses.

• Qin took the throne at the age of 13 yrs. And started his mausoleum.– It took 11 yrs. to complete

• Terra-cotta figures are life-like and life-sized.– Vary in height, hairstyle,

and uniform according to rank.

• Over 8,000 soldiers, 520 horses & 150 cavalry horses, 130 chariots, and some weapons were found in pits.– Majority of items remain in

pits.

Interesting Facts

Conclusion

• The existence of these soldiers provide how much skill and labor was put into their construction.– It showed how much the emperor Qin Shi

Huandi meant to the people of china– Also showed how great of power he had

possessed

Pictures of terra-cotta army

Bibliography

• 10/01/08.Wikipedia.Terra-cotta Army. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terracotta_Army

• 10/01/08.TravelChinaGuide.com.MuseumofQinTerraCottaWarriorsandHorses. http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shaanxi/xian/terra_cotta_army/