The answer to the question of what a terracotta army is and why it is called that, had to be pulled out of the ground. This is how the Chinese found ancient clay warrior statues that belonged to the peculiar army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
The story began in 1974. The Xi'an peasants went to Mount Lishan in order to build a well. However, instead of water, they found strange shards. As a result, several dozen clay warrior statues were raised to the surface.
This find marked the beginning of a lengthy excavation that was carried out in two stages from 1974 to 1986, and the third continues to this day. Scientists have discovered more than 8 thousand warriors who stood in three rows one and a half kilometers from the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Celestial Empire.
This ruler went down in history as the unifier of the Chinese lands. Under him, the construction of the Great Wall began, which was supposed to protect the country from barbarian raids.
They began to build the imperial tomb during his lifetime. After the death of the emperor, about 70 thousand people were buried with him, as well as servants, concubines and workers with families. It was believed that in that world they would be useful to the emperor, who would continue his rule at a new level. In theory, the same fate awaited the army, but the soldiers were spared.
Copies of the military were made to protect Shi Huang in the afterlife. They were made from a clay mixture, and then the figures were fired. That is why the army is called terracotta. Terracotta is a ceramic unglazed product that after firing acquired a characteristic texture and color. In this way, vases, sculptures, toys, tiles were made. Surrounded by the emperor, it came to the whole army.
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The figures were skillfully made: the craftsmen reproduced the uniforms, faces and hairstyles of people in the smallest detail. Each warrior has his own unique image. Most likely, the models were real people. Each figure is two meters tall. They were probably made so tall to intimidate enemies in the afterlife.
The clay army included infantrymen, riflemen, horsemen with small horses. They were lined up in battle formation and put in arms. True, during the excavations, not everyone had spears, crossbows and swords. Scientists believe they could have been stolen by local peasants.
In addition to military figures, archaeologists also found civilians - statues of musicians, officials and servants of the emperor.
Scientists believe that the warriors were made by hand and in parts, which were then connected. Figures of people and horses were made in different places. The weight of animals was under 200 kg, people - more than 130 kg.
Qin Shi Huang believed that the dynasty he founded would rule for a long time. However, after his death, the struggle for power began again in the country. The ruler's heirs were exterminated, the empire disintegrated, and the new emperors had to reassemble it. In this context, the Terracotta Army is likely forgotten.
Interestingly, the emperor, who intended to rule in the afterlife, died from the pills of immortality. This is the opinion of some historians based on written sources. These pills, which were supposed to give the ruler eternal life, contained mercury. The emperor really did not want to die and spent the last years of his life in search of a magic elixir. From which, it seems, he died.
Today, the terracotta warriors are one of the most famous landmarks in China. The soldiers make up the exposition of the museum with an area of about 16 hectares, which is located at the excavation site. The complex consists of several pavilions, in some of them archaeological work continues.
By the way, another similar army was discovered in the Chinese province of Shandong. Scientists found her in an underground complex that was probably part of an ancient tomb. There were terracotta figures of warriors, chariots and watchtowers. True, the size of the soldiers was small - 20-30 centimeters.
For whom exactly this meeting was intended, it is difficult for specialists to establish. It may have been Prince Liu Hong, the son of Emperor Wu. Liu Hong ruled the former kingdom of Qi and acted as something in between the governor of the emperor and the autocratic sovereign. Due to his status, he most likely could afford such quirks.
