Terra
cotta warriors
 The
terra cotta warriors were accidentally discovered
by Chinese peasants while digging a well.
This discovery prompted archaeologists to
proceed to Shaanxi, China to investigate.
No one knows why this site became buried
and lost among memories in the clay and
in the minds of China. What they found was
the ancient burial-site of the first Chinese
Emperor Qin Shihuangdi. These warriors were
placed all around the burial tomb of Emperor
Qin. Before Qin, masters were buried with
women, slaves, and soldiers. This tradition
during China's feudal period vanished during
the life of Qin. To substitute for the actual
humans, Qin ordered a massive clay army
to be produced for his protection. Qin wanted
the afterlife to be the same as his life
on earth. Qin produced a warlike culture
in China, which brought him many enemies.
During his lifetime there were three attempts
to assassinate him, so he had to be protected
in the afterlife.
 The
first site was excavated in 1974. Although
much of the site had been looted soon after
it was built, archaeologists discovered
6,000 pottery figures. This oblong shaped
site is 689 feet long, 197 feet wide. The
trenches that contain the soldiers are 14.8
to 21.3 feet deep. The actual bodies of
the soldiers were formed out of terra cotta
clay. Each soldier was baked in a kiln.
The positioning of the soldiers in the oblong
shape shows an actual battle formation of
the troops. These warriors were dressed
and ready for battle. They carried spears
and various other combat weapons. Each warrior
is wearing an army uniform which distinguishes
the soldier's rank. The soldier's uniforms
were painted either red or green. They also
wore either brown or black armor. Different
types of warriors include bowman, infantrymen,
and among these soldiers are six chariots.
Each soldier has a distinct facial expression.
Even the horses found at this site have
different poses. Both the hands and the
heads of the soldiers are detachable. These
pieces of the body were carefully crafted
and painted separately. The purpose of this
was to provide the soldier with individuality
and uniqueness. This also shows the quality
of Chinese art during this time. These soldiers
were made to be naturalistic. The height
of the normal soldiers ranges from 5 ft.
8 in. to 6 ft. 2.5 in. Those that rode the
chariots were 6 ft. 2.5 in. The commanders
were the tallest out of all the soldiers.
They stood 6 ft. 5 in. Clearly height represented
the importance of the officer.
 The
second excavation occurred in May of 1976.
This pit contains 1,400 warriors with horses.
It is 64,000 square feet in area. Pit number
two differs greatly from the first pit.
The battle formation was square. This pit
contains sixty-four chariots. It has divided
groups which include infantrymen, cavalrymen
and even commanders to guide the troops.
This display of soldiers gives insight into
the work that went into the Chinese army.
Long distance battles had to be fought by
using many chariots. The facial expressions
of the men in this pit are also very different
from those men in the first pit.
 The
third pit was discovered in 1980. This pit
is the smallest out of the three discovered.
It contains only one chariot, six warriors,
and a small amount of weapons. This room
is thought to be a group of special commanders.
A fourth pit was also discovered. This room
is bare. This room is probably empty because
the workers did not complete the warriors
in time for Qin's death.
Archaeologists continue
to excavate the burial site if Emperor Qin.
His actual tomb has not been excavated.
These warriors will continue to give insight
into the history of both Chinese art and
war tactics. They represent a microcosm
of life during the Qin Dynasty. The dynasties
following Qin would pattern their lives
after this great dynasty of the Fist Emperor
of China.
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