The Terracotta Army, also known as the Terra
Cotta Warriors and Horses, is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting
the armies of Qin Shi Huangdi (the first emperor of China from 260-210
B.C.).
The museum consists of three huge pits and the hall of
the two bronze chariots and horses. Covering an area of 22,780 square meters,
more than 8,000 terra cotta soldiers and horses, as well as more than 10,000
bronze weapons, were discovered in the three separate pits. The museum
provides a treasure trove of information on the Qin Dynasty's military,
science and technology, art and culture. It has been listed as an UNESCO
World Heritage Site.
Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, built the huge
Terracotta Army to protect him in the afterlife. An elaborate tomb complex
in Xi'an, the city-size compound came equipt with everything the emperor
would require in the afterlife. Like the Egyptians, the ancient Chinese
believed the items they took with them to the grave would accompany them
into the afterlife. But instead of burying actual people with him underground,
the emperor created clay reproductions of warriors, servants, horses, and
other objects. An incredible feat of design, the army also features a number
of ancient Chinese inventions, many of which no one realized dated back
as far as the Qin dynasty.
Despite excavating it for over 40 years, archeologists
have barely made a dent in this wonder of the ancient world. In total,
they've unearthed approximately 2,000 soldiers and believe 6,000 remain
uncovered. The focal point of the tomb, the Emperor's resting place, may
never even be touched due to the hazardous material found near it. So even
2,000+ years later, the famous Terracotta Army still manages to protect
its Emperor from the greedy hands of the living. ~ Ref: ranker.com