Terracotta Army

Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Criteria	Cultural: i, iii, iv, vi
Reference	441
Inscription	1987 (11th Session)

The Terracotta Army (simplified Chinese: 兵马俑; traditional Chinese: 兵馬俑; pinyin: bīngmǎ yǒng; lit. 'soldier and horse funerary statues') are the Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shi Huang the First Emperor of China. The terra cotta figures, dating from 210 BCE, were discovered in 1974 by several local farmers near Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China near the the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (Chinese: 秦始皇陵; pinyin: Qín Shǐhuáng líng). The figures vary in height (184–197cm - 6ft–6ft 5in), according to their role, the tallest being the Generals. The figures include warriors, chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians. Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were about 7,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority still buried in the pits.

Introduction

The Terracotta Army was buried with the Emperor of Qin (Qin Shi Huangdi) in 209-210 BC (his reign over Qin was from 247 BC to 221 BC and unified China from 221 BC to the end of his life in 210 BC). Their purpose was to help rule another empire with Shi Huangdi in the afterlife. Consequently, they are also sometimes referred to as "Qin's Armies". Some people think that the army was also built for protection.

The Terracotta Army was discovered in March 1974 by local farmers drilling a water well to the east of Mount Li (Lishan; The precise coordinates are 34°23′5.71″N 109°16′23.19″E). Mount Li is also where the material to make the terracotta warriors originated. In addition to the warriors, an entire man-made necropolis for the emperor has been excavated.

According to the historian Sima Qian (145 BC-90 BC) construction of this mausoleum began in 246 BC and involved 700,000 workers. Sima Qian, writing a century after its completion, wrote that the First Emperor was buried with palaces, scenic towers, officials, valuable utensils and 'wonderful objects', wtih 100 rivers fashioned in mercury and above this heavenly bodies below which he wrote were 'the features of the earth'. Some translations of this passage refer to 'models' or 'imitations' but in fact he does not use those words. Recent scientific work at the site has shown high levels of mercury in the soil of Mount Lishan, appearing to add credence to the writing of ancient historian Sima Qian.The tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi is near an earthen pyramid 76 meters tall and nearly 350 square meters. The tomb remains unopened, with hopes that it remains intact. Only a part of the site is presently excavated.

A terracotta soldier and his horse

Qin Shi Huangdi’s necropolis complex was constructed to serve as an imperial compound or palace. It comprises several offices, halls and other structures and is surrounded by a wall with gateway entrances. The remains of the craftsmen working in the tomb may also be found within its confines, as it is believed they were sealed inside alive to keep them from divulging any secrets about its riches or entrance.

In 2007 Chinese archaeologists using remote sensing technology may have found a 30 meter high building buried above the main portion of the tomb. It appears to have four large stairlike walls. Although one of the archaeologists, Duan Qingbo, suggested that it might have been built to aid the departure of the Emperor's soul, another expert, Chen Jingyuan, questioned what exactly was found and suggested that speculating as to its purpose might cause problems for future research.

Construction

Terracotta detail. No two life-sized figures are alike in the tomb.

The terracotta figures were manufactured both in workshops by government labourers and also by local craftsmen. The head, arms, legs and torso were created separately and then assembled. Studies show that eight face moulds were probably used and then clay added to give them individual facial features. Once assembled the intricate features such as facial expressions were added. It is believed that their legs were made in much the same way that terracotta drainage pipes were manufactured at the time. This would make it a factory line style of production, with specific parts manufactured and assembled after being fired as opposed to crafting one solid piece of terracotta and subsequently firing it. At the time each workshop was required to inscribe its name on items produced so as to ensure quality control; this has aided modern day historians as they can tell that workshops that once made tiles and other every day items were commanded to begin working on the terracotta army. After completion, the terracotta figures were placed in the pits outlined above in precise military formation according to rank and duty.

The terracotta figure are life-like and life-sized. They vary in height, uniform and hairstyle in accordance with rank. The colored lacquer finish, individual facial features, and real weapons and armor used in manufacturing these figures created a realistic appearance. The weapons were stolen shortly after the creation of the army and the coloring has mostly faded. However, their existence served as a testament to the amount of labour and skill involved in their construction. It is also proof of the incredible amount of power the First Emperor possessed to order such a monumental undertaking as the manufacturing of the terracotta army.

The Pits

The four pits associated with the figures are about 1.5km east of the burial mound and are about 5 metres deep.They are outside the walls of the tomb complex as if placed there to guard the tomb from attack from the east, where all the conquered states lay. They are solidly built with rammed earth walls and ground layers and are as hard as concrete. Pit 1, 230 meters long, contains the main army, estimated at 6000 figures. Pit One has 11 corridors, most of which are over 3 metres wide, and paved with small bricks with a wooden ceiling supported by large beams and posts. This design was also used for the tombs of noblemen and would have resembled palace hallways. The wooden ceilings were covered with reed mats and layers of clay for waterproofing and then mounded with more soil making them when built about 2-3 meters higher than the ground level. Pit 2 has cavalry and infantry units as well as war chariots, and is thought to represent a military guard. Pit 3 is the command post, with high ranking officers and a war chariot. Pit 4 is empty, probably left unfinished by its builders.

Destruction and gradual decay

Terracotta figures in various stages of re-assembly after being unearthed.

There is evidence of a large fire that burned the wooden structures that once housed the Terracotta Army. The fire was described by Sima Qian, who said that the fire was a consequence of a raid on the tomb by General Xiang Yu less than five years after the death of the First Emperor. According to Sima Qian, General Xiang’s army looted the tomb and the structures holding the Terracotta Army, as well as setting fire to the necropolis and starting a blaze that allegedly lasted three months (though no other recorded great fire in history ever lasted more than seven days). Because of this, only one statue has survived intact: a statue of a kneeling archer. Despite the fire, however, much of the remains of the Terracotta Army still survive in various stages of preservation, surrounded by remnants of the burnt wooden structures.

In 1999, it was reported that the warriors were suffering from "nine different kinds of mold", caused by raised temperatures and humidity in the building which houses the soldiers, and by the breath of tourists. In addition, the South China Morning Post reported that the figures have become oxidised grey from being exposed to the air, which may cause arms to fall off, and noses and hairstyles to disappear. However, officials have dismissed these claims. In Daily Planet Goes to China, the Terracotta Warriors segment reported that the Chinese scientists found soot on the surface of the statue, concluding that the pollution introduced from coal burning plants was responsible for the decaying of the terracotta statues.

Terracotta Army outside China

Warriors' horses in a row

• At the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science & Art of the Midland Center for the Arts, Midland, Michigan, on display from January 20 to April 13, 2008. Timeless Warriors & Relics: 1500 Years of Ancient China. 50 objects including 2 warriors and a broad selection of relics rich in ceramics, with examples of bronze, silver, copper, and jade. The relics range from sculptural figures of humans and animals, to vessels, architectural elements, utilitarian objects and weaponry. Link to [1]

• At the Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, CA, on view from May 18 to October 12, 2008. Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor is the largest loan of terra cotta figures and significant artifacts to ever travel to the U.S. from the tomb of China’s First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang (259–210 B.C.). Considered one of the greatest archeological discoveries of the 20th century, the First Emperor’s monumental tomb complex is contains thousands of terra cotta warriors that were intended to protect him throughout eternity. The exhibition showcases 120 sets of objects that include more than fifty “level one” objects—the most important and highly restricted Chinese antiquities—and approximately twenty complete life-size terra cotta figures representing all aspects of the Emperor’s army. After premiering at the Bowers Museum, Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor is scheduled to travel to the Houston Museum of Natural Science (May 18–September 25, 2009) and the National Geographic Society Museum (November 19, 2009–March 31, 2010).

• At the British Museum in London from 13 September 2007 to 6 April 2008: “The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army explores one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century, giving an insight into China’s First Emperor, Qin Shihuangdi, and his legacy. The exhibition includes a number of the world-famous terracotta warriors from Xi'an, China, which were buried alongside the First Emperor in readiness for the afterlife, as well as some of the most striking recent discoveries made on the site.” Link to the British Museum’s exhibition. 120 objects as well as 20 warriors are on display, making it the largest ever exhibition outside China.[2]
• Six of the warriors were displayed at Selfridges department store in London in 1981 as part of a marketing event called 'East Meets West'.

• Four terracotta warriors and horses from the Mausoleum were displayed at 1982 World's Fair; this was the first time China had participated in a World Fair since 1904.

• In 2004, an exhibit of the terracotta warriors was featured at 2004 Universal Forum of Cultures in Barcelona. It later inaugurated the Cuarto Depósito Art Center at Madrid. It consisted of ten warriors, four other big figures and other pieces (totalling 170) from the Qin and Han dynasties.

• Silent Warriors, 81 original artifacts including ten soldiers, were on display in Malta at the Archaeological Museum (http://www.heritagemalta.org) in Valletta during 2007. (http://www.heritagemalta.org/documents/Silent%20Warriors.pdf)

• The Drents museum Drents Museum[3] in Assen (the Netherlands) will display a number of warriors of the Terracotta Army and other pieces found in the grave in the period of 2 February to 31 August 2008 as part of their GoChina[4] Project.

• Forbidden Gardens, a privately funded outdoor museum in Katy, Texas has 6,000 1/3 scale replica terra-cotta soldiers displayed in formation as they were buried in the 3rd century BC. Several full-size replicas are included for scale, and replicas of weapons discovered with the army are shown in a separate Weapons Room. The museum's sponsor is a Chinese businessman whose goal is to share his country's history.

• The Santa Barbara Museum of Art included a display of the terracotta soldiers in 1998.

• Other replicas may be seen at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

Gallery

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  The warriors were once highly coloured

References

Bibliography

• Debainne-Francfort, Corrine. "The Search for Ancient China," (Harry N. Abrams Inc. Pub. 1999): 91-99.
• Dillon, Michael(ed). "China: A Cultural and Historical Dictionary," (Curzon Press, 1998): 196.
• Ledderose, Lothar. "A Magic Army for the Emperor." from "Ten Thousand Things : Module and Mass Production in Chinese Art" ed. Lothar Ledderose, (Princeton UP, 2000): 51-73.
• Perkins, Dorothy. "Encyclopedia of China: The Essential Reference to China, Its History and Culture," (Roundtable Press, 1999): 517-518.
• Portal (ed.), Jane (2007). The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army. British Museum Press. ISBN 9780714124476. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
• Richards, Jack C. Interchange 2, Third Edition, (Cambridge University Press, 2005):80.
• Macmanus, Caitlyn. Oxford University specialty in China's history.

External links

• UNESCO description of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
• People's Daily article on the Terracotta Army
• Wide angle shot of the Terracotta Army (requires Quicktime)!