The tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang in many ways surpasses the famed burial sites of Egypt. No pharaoh has a pyramid with over 8,000 warriors standing guard over his riches. Even though made of baked clay, the terracotta warriors of Xi'an continue to inspire awe over 2,000 years later.
Located in Shan'Xi Province, Xi'an was the provincial capital for over 1,000 years. It's famous as the starting point of the Silk Road, the trading route used by travelers from many parts of the world for centuries.
But today, most come for the view of the emperor's tomb and its contents. Completed around 210 BC at the death of the emperor, the tomb in Xi'an is one of the world's foremost archaeological sites. Not ancient compared to the pyramids of Egypt, but now one of the most oft-visited cities in China by natives and tourists alike.
Discovered accidentally in 1974 by local fishermen digging a well, the tomb has been under excavation ever since. Xi'an, thanks to the tomb, has now grown to one of the premier tourist destinations in China.
Sometimes known as Qin's Army, the material for the six-foot statues was dug from the surrounding hills. Six feet may not seem tall, but to an individual in China 2,000 years ago, they would have been intimidatingly large. The construction project spanned 35 years and employed hundreds of thousands of workers, many of whose remains are entombed there as well.
Found in three separate areas, a fourth devoid of figures has also been found. Some terracotta warriors stand aligned in rows, others are astride horses, and many ride chariots. The smaller pit contains 1,400 features and measures 64,500 square feet. But the larger area is truly immense - 6,000 terracotta warriors cover over 172,000 square feet. The third area holds the officer ranks with a chariot drawn by four enormous horses.
These statues were not merely all duplicates either, churned out by a mold. Figures vary in height and appearance, uniform, and carry real weapons of the period. Though now largely worn off, they were painted with colorful lacquer both to preserve and to individualize.
Beyond the warriors, and the horses on which many of them sat, gems and pearls studded the ceiling as a recreation of the heavens. A 250 ft/76m-high earthen pyramid is nearby. Offices, hallways, and other architectural features have been excavated, forming a site that was clearly much more than a tomb.
Like most ancient burial grounds, the area has been subject to looting, fire and the decay of centuries. But for all that, thanks in large part to restoration efforts, the tomb can be seen much as it must have been at the time. Minus the jewels, sad to say.
No visit to China is complete without a day spent exploring this magnificent example of the creativity of China's past.
Terracotta Warriors of Xi'an
