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Image 01

The City of Xi'an, where the Terra Cotta army can be found.

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Image 02

The farmer who discovered the pits while attempting to dig a well, in 1974.

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Image 03

Plaque found at the entrance to the museum of Terra Cotta figures.

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Image 04

This diagram of the excavation progress in 'Pit 2' was made in 1996. There has since been much more excavation work done.
The purpose of the scattered areas of excavation was to estimate the dimensions of the pit and how many more figures are expected to be found.

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Image 05

This diagram of the tomb of the first emperor details where the figures are in relation to the rest of the site.

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Image 06

This diagram shows how the figures were buried and the arrangement of the vaults in relation to the ground above.
The sections between the rows of Terra Cotta figures are undisturbed earth. Notice the floor of the vaults are slightly curved and the vaults themselves are built at a slight downward angle, in profile, to allow for accumulating water from seepage or heavy rains, to flow away from the statues so as not to damage them.

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Image 07

A bronze chariot, formed at 1/4 scale. This is a replica of the first emperor's royal chariot- the one he died in during a tour of the newly formed unified country of the Qin Empire.

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Image 08

A bronze chariot, formed at 1/4 scale. This is a replica of the first emperor's royal chariot- the one he died in during a tour of the newly formed unified country of the Qin Empire.

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Image 09

A woman attempting to duplicate a Terra Cotta figure in a process believed to have been used.

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Image 10

A man attempting to duplicate a Terra Cotta figure in a process believed to have been used.
The torso and arms were produced as one piece, while the head, legs and hands were made in separate stages.
When all three portions were fired and painted, they were assembled.
In this duplication process, a single figure required the labor of fourteen people and a time span of three days- from start to finish.

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Image 11

Here, the heads of recreated figures are being readied for the firing process.
In this recreation, some heads are actually duplicates of those found at the excavation site.
Skilled archaeologists piece together the remains of broken heads, while artists attempt duplication of the original features. The finished head is then fired and placed on the original figure's torso when finished.

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Image 12

Here, various sizes of figures are reproduced. The firing chambers used in these recreation attempts are the same ones used for the original creation of the figures almost 2000 years ago.
Notice that the hands are present on these figures. Because the hands are made separate from the torso and the legs, they are smaller and require less firing time.
The legs were added to the torso and fired second and the head will be added last.
This is necessary to maintain the viability of the completed figure.

Chinese art, Calligraphy, Calligraphers

Image 13

The hands of the original Terra Cotta figures were as unique as their facial features.
Hands produced for the purpose of recreation or duplication are not as unique, as they are made from a mold.
Here, five right hands await final preparations for the firing process to begin.

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Image 14

These figures were found destroyed. Exactly how these figures and others like them came to such a state is unclear.
One theory is that they were ruined by revolting conscript workers who were responsible for a large part of the creation of the figures. Another is that they encountered the invading army which eventually toppled the Qin dynasty.
Still another maintains that it was a simple structural collapse that smashed and then buried them.
Whatever the case may be, these figures will be excavated, pieced together and perhaps duplicated to stand where they were originally placed in the pit.

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Image 15

A partially excavated Terra Cotta figure.

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Image 16

A group of partially excavated Terra Cotta figures.

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Image 17

A group of partially excavated Terra Cotta horses.

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Image 18

A Terra Cotta figure.

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Image 19

Back of the head of a Terra Cotta figure. Notice the braid in the hair and the knot worn on the top right.
This style is consistent with what is known about how soldiers wore their hair during the Qing era.

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Image 20

A Terra Cotta figure. Notice the detail of the facial hair.

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Image 21

A Terra Cotta figure kneeling. The hand position suggests that this figure once held a weapon of some sort.

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Image 22

A Terra Cotta figure holding the reigns of a terra cotta horse. These two figures were found in this exact position.

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Image 23

A Terra Cotta figure.

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Image 24

A Terra Cotta figure.

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Image 25

One of the Terra Cotta vaults. This is part of the Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses.

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Image 26

A row of Terra Cotta Warriors.
Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses.

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Image 27

Terra Cotta Warriors on display.
Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses.

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Image 28

Terra Cotta Warriors on display.
Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses.

Chinese art, Calligraphy, Calligraphers

Image 29

Terra Cotta Warriors on display.
Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses.

Chinese art, Calligraphy, Calligraphers

Image 30

Terra Cotta Warriors on display.
Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses.

Chinese art, Calligraphy, Calligraphers

Image 31

Terra Cotta Warriors on display.
Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses.

Chinese art, Calligraphy, Calligraphers

Image 32

Terra Cotta Warriors on display.
Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses.

Chinese art, Calligraphy, Calligraphers

Image 33

Terra Cotta Warriors on display.
Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses.

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