Terracotta Warriors – Xi’an

When we arrived there were more people than expected streaming through the gates. However where the area is so massive viewing the site was no problem. There in rows sedately standing are life size recreations of the Qin Shi Huang army. we learned there were 700,000 men drafted to work on this project. The area is so quiet and we feel the urge to whisper.

Pit Number One

If you can image, there are 6000 warriors, life size and no two alike and stretching back 600 feet. We wondered, How could they do it ?? How long did it take?? Were there that many people who had the the skill and talent to do this creation?? We learned when they were discovered they were of bright color. when exposed to light the color disappeared.

Pit Number Two

Discovered in 1976 and open to the public. When we arrived, it was closed for repair to delay the fading of color .

Pit Number Three

Pit Number Three was discovered in 1976 as well. It contains animal bones along with 68 Clay Warriors, not in formation. It is believed this was a sacrificial area on the eve of a battle. Most of the warriors in the tomb are around 6 feet, with the senior officers taller.

Bronze Chariot

in 1980, two large chariots were discovered. They were encased in a wooden for over 2000 years. They were smaller than normal and believed to be intended for the Emperor in his afterlife.