One of the most impressive archeological finds of ancient China is the Terracotta Army. Discovered over a thousand years after the first statue had been crafted, they become a testiment and a mystery and continue to captivate people around the world.
At the age of 13, in 246 BC, Qin Shi Huang became the first Emperor of the unified China. He was known for being both aggressive and eccentric. In addition to conquoring his neighboring states, he joined the segments to form the first Great Wall, he helped to standardize many infrastructures in any culture, and he sent many advisors on their way to seek out the elixir of immortality. In some stories, it is claimed that one of these expeditions landed in Japan and stayed to help develop that land and another was the first sea voyage across to the Americas, over 1500 years before Columbus.
The Terracotta Army, built in what is know Xi'an, China, was to be his testiment to immortality and the reign of his descendants for eternity. It took over 37 years to construct the over 7,000 soldiers, horses, chariots, weapons. Each statue is life sized and no two have been found to be exactly the same. Each face, each express, even their posture and clothes are all unique and individual. The soldiers are posed, ready to march into battle. Some are even frozen in time kneeling or preparing for their's journey. This army was to follow him into death and protect his soul in his underground mausoleum.
Unfortunately (or fortunately if the tales of his cruelty are true), Qin Shi Huang died before he found his elixir. With his death, the dynasty crumbled and lasted but a few years longer. All those that had worked on the tomb were said to have been put to death so that his secret would remain safe. His impressive tomb was sealed and forgotten.
It wasn't until 1974, when some farmers dug up pottery in their fields, was the army rediscovered. Three pits in all have been unearthed, covering over 16000 square-meters, and still it is believed not all of it has been found. Some of the statues were destroyed from simple degrading over time, but most mainly still entacted. Qin Shi Huang's tomb itself has remained untouched.
Thousands of visitors come each year to Xi'an to see this marvel in the musuem that has been built specifically for them. Archeologists and historians alike have come to study these statues to provide insight into a Dynasty long forgotten. From these statues, we have learned much about their daily lives, their military and weaponry standards, their outfits and ranking systems.
Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China by Jane O'ConnerFilled with some wonderful images of the Terracotta Army, Jane O'Conner has tackled something that that few authors of Chinese history have dared, to write the story for a younger audience. Targetted for ages 9-12, she captures a great deal of information not only about the Terracotta Army, but also the Emperor and world that existed during the Qin Dynasty.
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