Terracotta Warriors

On March 29, 1974, Lintong District, Xi’an three farmers were drilling holes of finding underground water. Before they found water, they discovered some ancient terracotta pottery shards.

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By July a Chinese archaeological team began excavating the site. What these farmers had discovered was the 2200-year-old remains of a life-sized, terracotta army which had been buried with the Qin Emperor who had brutally united the country, thus became the very first emperor of China (221-210 BCE).

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The terracotta army consists of over 7,000 warriors of varying ranks. Thousands have been restored to their former grandeur. Each is life-sized and unique. The details in the faces and hairstyles as well as clothing and arm positioning make no two terracotta soldiers alike.

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During a series of excavations, archaeologists also unearthed horses, bird and animal pits and a bronze chariot pit.  Below is the Bronze, gold, and silver Chariot, excavated from the Bronze Chariot Pit.

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The TW Museum is between 15 to 23 feet deep and covering 4 acres, it has been divided into three sections.

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Today excavation continues. And the new generation of archaeologists has now taken over the vast task.

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The history, excavate, restoration, and archaeological research are deep.

P.S. Below is the Sword with inlaid openwork hilt in 770–476 BCE. Excavated at Taigongmiao village, Yangjiagou in Baoji, Shaanxi, 1978:

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