The Terracotta Soldiers

Written By: Dan



The Terracotta Army was created by the first Emperor of China, Emperor Qin Shi Huang, in the 3rd century BC. Emperor Qin (pronounced "shin") did many things during his rule:

- He unified China, named China (think "Shin" to "China")

- Oppressed the masses

- Went bat shit crazy. I saw a documentary once showing that he was eating Mercury thinking it would help him become immortal. That plan backfired.


Anyway, Qin had this Mercury-induced idea that he would need an army in the afterlife, if he did indeed die. So he set out to construct a huge tomb, and an army made of clay. This is a replica army to the tee. It consists of over 8,000 unique clay soldiers..... created to scale, uniquely crafted and painted, and placed ready for battle. It is truly a site to behold. The museum calls it "the 8th wonder of the world," but that might be a self given title.

Emperor Qin died suddenly while inspecting the Warriors.  Days later there was a peasant uprising (see 2nd bullet above).  In rebellion, the peasants bunt down the pits containing the warriors.  When the ceiling crashed down during the fire, most all of the warriors were shattered.   This also marked the end of Emperor Qin's dynasty.

In 1974 a farmer found one of these pits while drilling for a well.   This was quite a remarkable discovery.  A few fee to the left, and we may never have found them.  A more remarkable thing happened next.  The Chinese excavated the ruins, and started putting the warriors back to gather (remember, most were broken when the pits collapsed because of the peasant fires).     They even put them back in their original place.  This makes for an unbelievable sight.  Thousands of lifelike clay soldiers, standing in formation.

There are three pits for viewing.  The first one is the most known, and has the most to see.  The second one does not have any soldiers, but does contain artifacts.  The third has a ton of soldiers, but is untouched.  Apparently, the clay soldiers were also vibrantly painted.  When they are exposed to our 22nd century air, the color dissipates.   The Chinese have done a very wise and noble thing.  Waited.  They are waiting until technology can catch up and present a better solution to excavation.  They are also dong the same thing with Qin's tomb.  Waiting to bring is body, tomb, and treasures up during a time when they can do the least amount of harm. 

The Terracotta Army is something, given the opportunity, you have to see.  Pictures don't do it justice.  Creating this wonder took hundreds of thousands of people, massive coordination, and superior craftsmanship.  Their work needs to be seen.  I hope to one day see the rest of the army, Qin's tomb, and the rest of this dynasty's treasures.