The Qin Terracotta Army Museum

The Terracotta Army is an enormous collection of Chinese warriors made out of hardened clay.The army, which is set out in rigid columns, was created in the second century BC by the emperor Shih Huang-Ti, the first emperor of a unified China, and was entombed with him upon his death. It was discovered in 1974 during an attempt to dig a well, and since then three separate chambers have revealed over 10,000 figures. The clay figures are all individual, and are made to represent actual members of the imperial army, including both soldiers and officers. Some are armed with real weapons, standing in battle formation next to real wooden chariots. The collection also includes clay horses and is often referred to as ’the eighth wonder of the world’. 

 

Location
The Terracotta Army Museum lies around 1.5 kilometers east of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum in Lintong, Xian, Shaanxi Province

The true realism of this is the sheer size of the figures. Each warrior stands a realistic 1.8 metres tall. They have a characteristic square face and the head features a broad forehead with a thick-lipped mouth. Some have ornate hairstyles but all show a distinct determination of duty as their eyes focus directly forward into the distance.

Like the soldiers, the horses of the chariots are realistic and bright-eyed. Their wide nostrils and strong, muscular legs and hips position these cavalry animals at the ready gallop.