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| The Qin Terra Cotta Warriors & Horses |
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After archaeological excavation and textual research, it was found that this was an oblong pit in which were buried terra cotta warriors and horses of the Qin Dynasty. In 1976, after driling, another two pits were discovered respectively 20 meters and 25 meters to the north of the former one. They were numbered Pit 1,2 and 3 respectively in order of discovery, with a total area of 22780 square meters.
Pit No.1 is in oblong shape, covering an area of 14260 square meters. There are five sloping entrances on the eastern and western side of the pit respectively.The terracotta 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 three rows of terracotta warriors in battle tunics and puttees, facing east, 70 in each row, totaling 210 altogether. Armed with bows and arrows, they constitute the vanguard. 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. 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.The chariots took up most of battle formation. This proves that chariots and warriors were the principal fighting forces in the Qin Dynasty. The wooden chariots have become decayed with age , but the tongues and wheels left clear traces in the clay, The bronze parts of the chariots remained intact.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 the Pit is of concave shape totaling about 520 square meters. Out of the pit were unearthed one chariot, four terra-cotta horses and 68 clay armoured warriors. To it's east, there is a sloping entrance, 11.2 meters long, 3.7 meters wide, opposite which is a chariot and horse house. On both sides of the house, there is a winging room, in which were unearthed 64 pottery figurines.
The Qin terracotta warriors and horses were not only big in size, but made exquisitely with high technology and vivid images, revealing the character of old Chinese maddening art. So it attracts peoples all over the world, including leaders, artists, archaeologists and people who love Chinese art.