China - Xi'an - Terracotta Army

Tuesday, 23 April 2019

The number one attraction in Xi'an is the near-by Terracotta Army. This spectacular archaeological site was discovered in 1974 when a farmer digging a well pulled out a terracotta head. The full-size figures were made to guard the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who unified China and ruled as emperor from 221 to 210 BCE (before that he was merely an ambitious local king). It is said that 700,000 workers labored 36 years to prepare the tomb.

It's difficult to appreciate the size of this site. Preliminary work with ground-penetrating radar and limited sampling have indicated that the entire necropolis may cover 38 square miles (think of a square 6 miles on an edge!).

Every soldier is an individual. No two faces are alike.

Facing the front wall of the excavation.

Along the sides, one row of warriors faces out to protect the flank.

The site is still an active archaeological work zone. More figures are waiting to be uncovered when scientists understand how to stabilize the fragile color paint pigments. Right now the pigments are quickly destroyed when exposed to oxygen.

Most of the figures are found in pieces. At one end of the building the they are pieced back together before being returned to the exhibit.

Another area where objects are being carefully photographed and documented.

A closer look at the photography work in progress.

Half-size bronze chariots were excavated near what is presumed to be the emperor's burial mound. They have been reconstructed and are displayed in an adjacent exhibit hall.

The air quality in Xi'an was worse than Beijing's. You can barely see hills in the background.