China terracotta army

China's Terracotta Army

    In 1974, farmers in China were digging a well when they came across something very special. They discovered the site of a Chinese emperor's tomb! In that tomb were a huge variety of figures and sculptures, made of a material called terracotta.

    The Terracotta Army is a vast collection of terracotta sculptures that was constructed more than 2000 years ago by the Chinese Emperor Qin Shihuang. Beginning at the age of thirteen, Emperor Qin ordered the development of a guarded city in his future tomb. He wanted an army of warriors, along with their sturdy horses and sharpened weapons, to protect him in death. In his underground fortress, there were even stables made for the terracotta horses!

    In addition to the terracotta figures, the tomb was filled with valuable possessions like gold, silver, and jade jewelry. This construction project was estimated to have lasted 38 years, which is actually not that long considering the amount of detail put into all 8,000 terracotta figures. One of the most impressive things about the terracotta army is that each warrior's face is unique, conveying personality and emotion.

    This tomb site was discovered by farmers in 1974 and, immediately following this amazing discovery, archaeologists began carefully excavating the tomb. The excavation has been a continuous process, and archaeologists continue to discover new things. One of the terracotta court performers, including acrobats.

    Experts believe the tomb was never fully completed! Can you imagine what else Emperor Qin might have wanted in his burial place?

30/8/2021

Levic