It is thouhgt to be the eight wonder of the world. In March, 1974, the villagers from Xiyang Village in Lintong County east of Xi'an accidentally discovered many broken pottery figures while sinking a well 1.5 kilometers away east of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum. After archaeological excavation and textual research, it was found that this was an oblong pit in which were buried terra-cotta warriors and houses from the Qin Dynasty. In 1976, after drilling, another two pits were discovered respectively 20 meters and 25 metres north of the former one. They were numbered Pit1, 2, and 3 respectively in order of discovery, with a total area of 22,780 square meters.

This new discovery stirred up a sensation across the whole world. In order to protect those rare but valuable historical relics, in 1975, the State Council gave permission that a museum covering an area of 16,300 square meters be constructed on the side of Pit No.1

Pit No.1 is in an oblong shape, 230 meters long from east to west, 62 meters wide from north to south and 5 meters deep, covering an area of 14,260 square meters. It is an earth-and-wood structure in the shape of a tunnel. The terra-cotta warriors and horses in Pit No.1 are arrayed in a practical battle formation. In the long corridor to the east end of the pit stand facing east three rows of terra-cotta warriors in battle tunics and puttees, 70 in each, totaling 210 altogether. Armed with bows and arrows, they constitute the vanguard. There is one row of warriors in the south, north and west of the corridor respectively, facing outward. They are probably the flanks and the rear guard. Holding crossbows and arrows and other long-distance shooting weapons, they took up the job of defending the whole battle formation. The ten rammed partition walls divided Pit No.1 into eleven latitudinal passage ways where stand facing east 38 columns of warriors with horse-drawn chariots in the center.

Pit No.2 is located 20 meters to the north of the eastern end of Pit No.1. The Pit is L-shaped and consists of four different mixed military forces in four arrays. They are “quick response army” in modern military term--the four arrays can fight indepently and unite to fight in emergency. It is estimated that there were over 1,000 pieces of pottery figures, 500 horse-drawn chariots and saddled horses. The pit is measured 6,000 square meters.

Pit No.3 is located 25 meters to the north of Pit No.1 and to the west of Pit No.2. The plane of Pit No.3 is of concave shape totaling about 520 square metres. Out of the pit were unearthed one chariot, four terra-cotta horses and 68 clay armored warriors. The arrangement of the pottery figurines is quite different from that in Pit No.1 and No.2. They are arrayed opposite to each other along the walls, in two rows. Pit No. is most likely the headquarters directing the mighty underground army.

Pottery figurines:
The earliest appearance of pottery figurines in China happened in the Warring States Periods, but they were small in size and made roughly with low temperature. The Qin terra-cotta warriors and horses were not only big in size, but also made exquisitely with high technology and vivid images.

The height of the terro-cotta warriors varies from 1.78 meters to 1.97 meters. Their weights are also different. The lightest being 110 kilo-grams and the heaviest 300 kilo-grams. In order to keep the balance of the terra-cotta warriors, the workmen in the Qin Dynasty added a pedal to each warrior under his feet, so that the warriors would stand more firmly.

The making of the terra-cotta warriors:
The making of the terra-cotta warriors is very sophisticated. The feet, shoes, legs and amours of the warriors were made through a method called “cockled rope of clay”. The bodies of the warriors are all hollow, made with the previously mentioned method. Some are made separately and join the models together to complete the work. Arms also have two kinds, hollow and solid forms. The hollow arms are made with the above-mentioned method, the solid ones are made separately. The making of the hands has two ways: molding and hand-making. The most sophisticated technique of processing is heads. Two molds are used to make faces and most parts of heads first of all, then join the two parts together. Ears and noses, which are made independently, are added later on. The roughly made models are carved exquisitely in detail according to their personal strata and characters. Finally moustache and hair in various styles are made. After careful and detailed engraving by the workmen, the terra-cotta warriors look vivid, different in appearance and expressions. It is presumed that the Qin workmen made these warriors according to the real valiant Qin army soldiers.

After the terra-cotta warriors were made ready, they were to put into the kilns to be fired. In order to prevent the warriors from deforming or exploding, there are one, two or three small holes in the body of the warriors and horses when they were being made. Most of the pottery heads were welded with the body after being fired, so the necks of the pottery warriors were ventilation holes. Thus, the air stream produced in the firing process of the pottery warriors and houses could escape from these ventilation holes. The clay models were carefully color-painted after hey were baked.

Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China
In 246 B.C. a young prince, of 13 years of age, inherited the throne of the Qin Kingdom. The next twenty-five years of his life were spent in ruthless battle, in which he, for the first time in history, unified all of China. Ruling over this feudal empire he proclaimed himself, Qin Shi Huang Di, becoming the first Emperor of China. There would be a chain of predesecing emperors untill the fall of Imperial Dynasties in 1912.

Although Qin Shi Huang Di ruled ruthlessley, often with barbaric methods, he was also a leader with remarkable foresight and talent. His list of achievements are long. He declared a unified code of law, standardized currency, weights and measures and was concerned about such incidental details as standard widths of wagon and chariot axles. In spite of his power and success, he was victim of several asassination attemps and lived his life in fear. Obsessed with immortaility, Qin Shi Huang Di put to work as many as 720,000 laborers for 39 years to build a subterranean palace were he could spend eternity.

The mausoleum, the largest imperial tomb in China, covered over 56 square km. The complex was said to have a flowing river of mercury, jewels and other treasures buried within, along with traps such as trigger releasing arrows. Unfortunately little remains of the tomb itself, however the most dramatic find was to be found outside the walls.

When the Emperor was laid to rest, he had an army of over 6000 warriors to accompany him. These soldiers are of course the famous Terra Cotta Warriors. Each a life sized statue totally unique. The entourage included infantryman, archers, warriors in full armour, generals, along with teams of horses and chariots. Though their wooden weapons have long since deteriorated, the 6,000 warriors of Qin Shi Huang Di’s army remain one of the most awe inspiring sights in the world today.

The art and sculpture of the terra cotta warriors
Body Shape In comparison to pre- and post-Chin terra cotta warriors, those found buried near the tomb of Chin Shih Huang (Qin Shi Huang) are much taller. Pre-Chin terra cotta statues tended to measure 10-30 centimeters in height. Post-Chin terra cotta warriors have been found to be 30-50 centimeters in height. The terra cotta warriors of Chin Shih Huang (Qin Shi Huang) averaged 1.8 meters in height, with the tallest reaching two meters.

Facial Shapes The faces of the first emperor’s terra cotta warriors are in a variety of shapes. No two faces are shaped exactly the same. This is because the face was not made from a mold. A rough form of the head was cast from a mold, then the face was delicately and individually sculpted. During the sculpting, the artist strived to reveal each warrior’s individuality through facial features, hair styles, and facial hair, etc. The result was a similarity, but not a sameness, among the terra cotta warriors.

Facial Features The facial features were delicately sculpted except for the ears, which were modeled then attached to the head. This variation in facial features is especially evident in the eyes as the eyes are “the windows of the soul.” Most of the terra cotta warriors had thick eyelids, just like the people of the Shaanxi Province at the time of the Chin Dynasty.

Hair Buns and Braids There are many different types of hair buns and braids among the terra cotta warriors. For example, there are round hair buns and flat hair buns. Round hair buns were usually placed on the right side of the head. Braids were often coiled into various shapes. The differences in hair buns and braids reflect the backgrounds of the various artists from different areas of China.

Facial Hair Facial hair (beards and mustaches) was made by lightly sculpting the surface of the face, or by applying a piece of clay then sculpting, or by applying a clump of clay to make thick whiskers or a goatee. Mustaches and beards came in many types such as downward curving and upward curving mustaches, long beards and goatees. The differences in the types of mustaches and beards reflected the distinctive personalities of each of the terra cotta warriors. In ancient China, a mustache or beard was thought to be attractive, and the Chin people placed great importance on them. Thus, all but one of the excavated terra cotta warriors have a beard and/or mustache.

Overall Design In general, the trunk of the body is hidden inside a uniform. The basic body shape is a round, vertical, symmetrical post. From this basic shape evolved the feeling of individuality, sheer quantity, size and space. Pit Number One is a static portrayal of a royal army that succeeds in creating the feeling of a strong cohesive force.

The skill of the Chin Dynasty craftsmen was already very advanced in several areas:

Theme: Portrayal of an army in combat readiness.

Feeling of Power: The terra cotta warriors appear strong and are present in great numbers.

Battle Formation: The terra cotta warriors are arranged to form an underground military stronghold.

Feeling of Abundance: Large number of exquisitely made weapons. Warriors and horses give a feeling of strength.

Feeling of Size: The terra cotta warriors appear tall and imposing.

Beauty and Color: The painted terra cotta warriors emit a feeling of liveliness.

Individuality: There are thousands of terra cotta warriors, each with a distinct face and features.

Space: Well-proportioned three-dimensional space.

Artistic Skill: Skillled use of molds, and clay modeling and carving.

Concepts: Artistic concepts imply motion in stillness (i.e., the terra cotta army is standing still, but appears ready to move into battle at any moment).

The colors of the terra cotta warriors
The terra cotta warriors were originally painted in beautiful colors. Unfortunately, fire damage, water damage and more than 2,000 years of natural erosion caused the paint to peel off. More than ten colors were used on these statues including bright red, rose red, dark red, orange, pink, yellowish brown, purplish red, lavender, light blue, bright blue, stone green and white, etc.

An undercoat of 1-2 layers of black or brown resin was applied to the statues before painting. The combination of the resin layer and the outer coats of pigment created areas of smooth and rough finish and made it possible to conserve pigment while obtaining ideal results. Red and green were the main colors used to decorate the terra cotta warriors.

1. Uniform robes were painted red, bright red, purplish red, dark green, light green and sky blue, etc. Uniform trousers were painted dark green, light green, sky blue and purplish red, etc. Shin guards were painted in lavender, bright red, dark green and sky blue. Shoes were mostly red and boots were mostly bright red or dark green. Shoelaces and shoe bindings were bright red, lavender, sky blue or bright yellow. The hands, face and feet of the terra cotta warriors were pink. The terra cotta horses were mostly painted a dark purplish red, and had red tongues, white teeth, black manes, black tails and white hooves.

2. The use of strong contrasting colors was common. A typical example was the combination of a red robe with dark or light green collar and sleeve openings and lavender and sky blue borders and purple or purplish red pants.

3. The upper part of the uniform tended to be bright and the lower part of the uniform tended to be dark. Shoes and shin guard bindings tended to be red or black.

4. During the painting process, artists paid attention to the effects of different color combinations.

Tag: The Terra Cotta Warriors