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 210–209 BCE and whose purpose was to protect the emperor in his afterlife.
History
Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor of a unified China and is credited with the invention of a standardized system of writing, currency, measurements, and a legal code. He is also credited with unifying all of the various states of the Warring States period and creating a strong, centralized empire.
The Terracotta Army was created to accompany the emperor in his afterlife and to serve as a form of protection. The figures were created in the years leading up to the emperor’s death in 210–209 BCE and buried with him.
Discovery
The Terracotta Army was discovered in 1974 by farmers in the Lintong District of Xi’an, Shaanxi province. It is estimated that the figures were buried in approximately 210–209 BCE. Since then, the army has been excavated and is now on display in the nearby Museum of Qin Shi Huang.
Features
The Terracotta Army is composed of more than 8,000 life-size figures. Each figure is unique and crafted in a different pose. The figures are made of terracotta and are painted in a variety of colors.
Weapons
The figures are equipped with a variety of weapons, including swords, spears, and crossbows. It is believed that the weapons were added after the figures were buried and were meant to serve as a form of protection for the emperor in his afterlife.
Size
The Terracotta Army is vast in size and covers an area of approximately 22,000 square meters. It is divided into three pits, with the first pit containing more than 6,000 figures, the second pit containing more than 1,000 figures, and the third pit containing more than 1,000 figures.
Legacy
The Terracotta Army is considered to be one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. It is an important symbol of the power and grandeur of the Qin Dynasty and has become a major tourist attraction in China.
The discovery of the Terracotta Army has provided historians with invaluable insight into the life and times of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. It is a testament to the power and grandeur of the Qin Dynasty and a reminder of the grandeur and sophistication of ancient Chinese civilization.
0 Comments