China Imperial China Built: c. 210 BC UNESCO
Terracotta Army
The Terracotta Army is a vast funerary complex near Xi'an built for Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of a unified China. Thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots were buried in formation to guard the emperor in the afterlife.
Site View and Location
Image coming soon
Terracotta Army
China
Longitude: 109.292
Latitude: 34.3853
Historical Significance
The site reveals the scale, organization, and ideological ambition of the early Qin state. It is one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century for understanding imperial power, military structure, and craft production in ancient China.
Facts
Fact 1
Scale of the Site
Archaeologists estimate there are over 8,000 warrior figures in the main pits.
Fact 2
Individual Features
Faces, hairstyles, and armor details vary, giving many figures distinct appearances.
Fact 3
Originally Painted
The statues were once brightly painted, but most pigment degraded quickly after excavation.
Fact 4
Discovery
Local farmers discovered the first pit in 1974 while digging a well.
Fact 5
Ongoing Excavation
Large portions of the broader mausoleum complex remain unexcavated.