Emperor Qin Shihuang’s “Underground Army”
The Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses and Bronze Chariots from the Qin Dynasty
During the Qin and Han dynasties (221 BC–AD 220) with the establishment and consolidating of a unified dynasty, the ruler began to build the “underground army,” the terra-cotta warriors and horses. The figures made during the reign of Emperor Shihuang of the Qin Dynasty (the first Qin Dynasty emperor) are the best. The charm of these figures can be seen on each sculpture— realistic, precise and vivid. These lively figures were lined in order. They are powerful and awesome.
Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of a unified China and one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history, left a lot of important cultural relics after his reign of less than 15 years. The terra-cotta warriors and horses are a message to descendants of the power of the Qin and the ambition of Emperor Shihuang.
What are tomb figures?
When Emperor Shihuang unified the other six states in 221 BC, the tomb figures appeared. No large-scale and realistic tomb figures like Qin terra-cotta figures had been seen before. The tomb figures from the Shang, the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period were small and non-realistic. They are not vivid and impressing as the Qin terra-cotta figures.
How did the form of tomb figures emerge?
During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, people were buried alive with the dead as sacrifices. Slaves were buried with their owners. Archeological digs of Shang Dynasty institutions show burying the live people to be the cruelest. As society evolved, burying people alive was gradually replaced by burying clay sculptures, woodcarvings or bronze figures. Burying tomb figures became popular during the Qin Dynasty and reached their peak with the terra-cotta figures.
Excavation of Qin terra-cotta warriors and horses
There are no detailed records of when the Qin terra-cotta warriors and horses were built by Emperor Shihuang. Maybe he hoped to never be disturbed by later generations. These mighty warriors and horses were discovered more than 2,000 years later by chance. A group of peasants uncovered some pottery while digging for a well nearby in 1974. A few years later, the Museum of Qin TerraCotta Warriors and Horses was built. It opened in 1979.
The discovery of the Qin terra-cotta warriors and horses stirred the world. The statues were recognized as a cultural miracle from ancient times and one of the most important discoveries of the present era.
The terra-cotta warriors and horses were found about 1.5km east of Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum, Lintong County, Shaanxi Province. It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China.
The No.1, 2 and 3 pits were discovered first. The No.1 pit is the largest, with a total area of 14,260 square meters. About 6,000 life sized pottery figures are buried in this pit, which was buried for more than 2,000 years. It is really incredible that so many large sized and pottery figures were made. The Qin terra-cotta warriors and horses are broad in scale and have an impressive appearance. They are finely and carefully portrayed, showing the superb skills of craftsmen and their ability to master the relationship between the whole and details.
Nearly 1,000 life size terra-cotta figures of warriors arranged in battle formations were excavated five meters below the earth. They are powerful and awesome. People would be terrified by their sight and orderly arrangement. Besides the warriors, some ceramic horses were found, also identical to authentic horses in size. Each chariot has four horses.
Some warriors wear coats of armor; some are dressed in mail with bronze weapons in their hands. These weapons are real objects. The army was strictly arranged. Dozens of horses are raising their heads, neighing and galloping forward. The whole army is ready to set out. The mighty army reproduces the frightful presence of Emperor Shihuang’s unification of China.
Shape of Qin terra-cotta warriors and horses
The shape of Qin terra-cotta figures is based on actual life. The clothing and appearance of each figure is unique. There are several hairstyles, gestures and facial expressions. People can judge whether they are officials or soldiers from their clothes, expressions and gestures. In general, all the Qin terra-cotta figures show expressions of dignity and elegance with vivid personality and intense features.
The terra-cotta warriors and horses are sculpted and painted. They are old, but the color on the faces and clothes could be seen clearly when they were unearthed. The figures are made using vivid techniques of expression and are clever designed. The sculpture techniques are flexible and the figures areauthentic and ornamental. On account of this, the Qin terra-cotta warriors and horses occupy an important position in the history of Chinese sculpture.
Of more than 1,000 unearthed figures, no two are identical. Most eyecatching is the difference of expressions and facial forms. The military officers are serious and older with some wrinkles on their foreheads, and the warriors’ expressions are Head of warrior in battle robe, Qin Dynasty. individualized, showing distinct characteristics of different regions. The facial features of many Qin warriors are close to those of modern people in Shaanxi Province.
All terra-cotta warriors are absorbed, calm and tactful and have martial bearings, showing the heroic spirit of going ahead bravely without looking back and representing the mighty appearance and bearing of Qin Shihuang’s ambition of “conquering six states and unifying China.”
