The Terracotta Army
Terracotta sculptures buried to guard China's first emperor in the afterlife.
The Terracotta Army is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. It is a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in his mausoleum with the purpose of protecting him in the afterlife. The figures, dating from approximately the late 200s BCE, were discovered in 1974 by local farmers digging a well in Lintong County, outside Xi'an, Shaanxi, China. The figures vary in height according to rank, with the tallest being the generals, and include warriors, chariots, and horses. Estimates indicate the three main pits hold more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses, most of which remain in situ. Other pits have yielded non-military terracotta figures of officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians.
The construction of the tomb was described by the historian Sima Qian in the *Records of the Grand Historian*, written a century after the mausoleum's completion. Work began in 246 BCE, soon after Emperor Qin succeeded his father as King of Qin, and eventually involved 700,000 conscripted workers. Geographer Li Daoyuan, writing six centuries later, recorded that Mount Li was chosen for its auspicious geology, being rich in gold and jade. Sima Qian wrote that the emperor was buried with palaces, towers, officials, valuable artifacts, and wondrous objects, including 100 flowing rivers simulated using mercury, with a ceiling decorated with heavenly bodies and the features of the lands below. High levels of mercury detected in the soil of the tomb mound have given credence to this account. Later historical accounts suggest the complex was looted by Xiang Yu, a contender for the throne after the emperor's death, though indications exist that the tomb itself may not have been plundered. The necropolis, a microcosm of the imperial palace, covers a large area around the pyramidal tomb mound at the foot of Mount Li, surrounded by rammed earth walls. The tomb itself remains unopened, partly due to concerns over preservation, as the painted surface on excavated terracotta figures has been known to flake and fade rapidly upon exposure to dry air.
- field
- Funerary art, archaeology
- nationality
- Chinese
- known_for
- Largest pottery figurine group ever found, protecting the first emperor in the afterlife
Lore & Background
The Terracotta Army comprises thousands of life-sized terracotta sculptures representing the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, buried as funerary art in his mausoleum around 210–209 BCE to protect him in the afterlife. The figures, discovered in 1974 by local farmers digging a well in Lintong County near Xi’an, Shaanxi, vary in height according to military rank, with generals being the tallest. They include warriors, chariots, and horses. Estimates from 2007 indicate that three main pits hold over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses, most still in situ. Additional pits have yielded non-military figures such as officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians. The army is part of a vast necropolis, constructed as a microcosm of the imperial palace, covering a large area around the pyramidal earthen tomb mound at Mount Li. The tomb itself remains unopened, partly due to preservation concerns—painted surfaces on excavated figures began flaking within minutes of exposure to dry air. The site was chosen for its auspicious geology, noted by geographer Li Daoyuan for rich jade and gold deposits. Historical accounts by Sima Qian describe the tomb containing simulated rivers of mercury and celestial decorations, a claim supported by modern detection of high mercury levels in the soil.
Reader's Guide
The Terracotta Army is part of a much larger necropolis measuring approximately 98 square kilometres, constructed as a microcosm of the emperor's imperial palace. The warriors stand guard to the east of the tomb, laid out as if to protect the tomb from the east, where the Qin Emperor's conquered states lay. The figures are life-sized, varying in height, uniform, and hairstyle according to rank, and their faces appear to be different for each individual figure. Originally painted with ground precious stones and pigments, the painted surface began to flake and fade after excavation. The tomb itself remains unopened, possibly due to concerns over preservation. The discovery prompted Chinese archaeologists to investigate, revealing the largest pottery figurine group ever found, and a museum complex has since been constructed over the area.
Did You Know?
- The figures vary in height according to rank, with the tallest being the generals.
- High levels of mercury detected in the soil of the tomb mound have given credence to Sima Qian's account of simulated flowing rivers using mercury.
Common Misconceptions (Editorial)
- Some believe the Terracotta Army figures are all the same height, but the facts show they vary by rank, with generals being the tallest. - It is often assumed the mercury used in the tomb is a myth, but modern soil tests have detected high levels of mercury, supporting historical accounts of simulated rivers.
Why It Matters (Editorial)
The Terracotta Army endures as a testament to the ambition and belief systems of ancient China, where an emperor prepared not just for life but for an eternal afterlife. Its scale and the collaborative effort required to create such a personalized afterlife army continue to inspire awe, reminding us how deeply human concerns about legacy and the unknown can shape the material world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Terracotta Army?
It is a vast collection of terracotta sculptures representing the military forces of Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor. These figures were buried as funerary art to serve as his eternal guard in the afterlife.
Why is The Terracotta Army considered a world wonder?
It offers an extraordinary window into the military, artistry, and burial practices of early imperial China. As the largest pottery figurine collection ever found, it fundamentally reshaped our understanding of the Qin dynasty's capabilities.
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