Terracotta army

chiny24.com 1 year ago

TThe Eracotta Army, besides known as “Soldiers and Horses Tomb Figures”, is simply a collection of more than 8100 figures of people, 520 horses harnessed in 130 squares and 150 primates of natural size made of terracotta, that is, of well-cleaned and burnt clay. These extraordinary sculptures can be admired with their own eyes in the tomb of the First Emperor Qin Shihuangdi (221 – 210 BC) of the Qin dynasty, in Shaanxi Province, and their discovery constitutes 1 of the most crucial archaeological finds of the 20th century.

The space occupied by the Terracotta Army is 210 m long and 60 m wide, and the full complex of structures consisting of the mausoleum covers more than 100 km2. This is the full underground palace complex to service the ruler in life after death. So far 600 graves have been discovered in this complex, which were buried alive with the emperor, according to the customs of China.

The Terracotta Army was accidentally discovered in March 1974 by 3 men who dug a well close the town of Lintong in Shaanxi Province. The figures are within 1.5 km east of the First Emperor's sarcophagus. During the ceremony of the ruler in 210 B.C.E., the full army was placed in underground rooms, about 3 m high. Their floors were paved with brick, and the roof structure was made of wood. Over time, the roof collapsed, and the figures were filled with earth.

The Terracotta Army figures depict soldiers, officers, horses and another characters. These are natural-sized figures of infantry, archers, temptresses, generals, officials, acrobats, musicians, dancers, medics and civilian workers. In addition to people in the mausoleum, there are besides animal figures specified as train horses, horseback, storks, cranes and ducks. Soldier sculptures have individualized features, and originally all figures were painted in light red, blue, pink, and gold colors. The colours remained until discovered in 1974, but gradually disappeared, oxidizing themselves under the influence of air.

During the 2005 tomb study, German scientists found a place with a large accumulation of colour metals under the surface of the earth. It is suspected that it may be a royal vault covering coins or another valuables. Although investigation has been going on for half a century, no 1 knows precisely what lies inside the tomb of the emperor himself. The Chinese authorities have prohibited its beginning until it can be guaranteed that the breach of the Qin Shihuangdi burial site will not destruct its contents, nor will it prove to be dangerous for archaeologists as for the surrounding inhabitants. According to the messages, the tomb of the emperor was secured with many traps for robbers, and a mechanics was created that could poison immense spaces around the mausoleum with mercury.

According to belief, the Terracotta Army was to defender the Emperor and aid him regain power in the afterlife. The figures are set in ditches in combat formation, and each soldier has a circumstantial military rank and a circumstantial weapon for his unit. This inactive military is not only a fascinating monument, but besides reminds us of the ancient times and power of the Qin Empire.

This unique army of clay is 1 of the most crucial testimonies of ancient Chinese culture and military genius. Her mysterious communicative continues to inspire emotions both in China and throughout the world. It is simply a actual masterpiece of art that has survived for thousands of years and inactive delights with its beauty.

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