Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses

In 221 B.C., Emperor Qin Shi Huang of the Qin dynasty established the first centralized feudal dynasty in China. After his death, he was buried at the northern foot of Lishan Hill in the east of Lintong county. The tomb is a rammed-soil mound, 47m. high and its base is 485m.× 515m.. In 1974, there vaults containing terra-cotta figures were found 1.5 kilometers east of the mausoleum. Eight thousand pottery soldiers, hundreds of chariots and a large number of real weapons were unearthed from these vaults. Over 6000 clay warriors could be assumedly unearthed from the pit if it would be completely excavated. This would be really an artistic reappearance of hundreds of Qin Shi Huang's warriors. With its artistic momentum, it could be acclaimed a piece of great masterwork. The figures, life likely shaped and colorfully painted, are of high artistic value. In 1980, two large bronze horse chariots were found. Exhibition halls were set up over the three vaults where the restored terra-cotta warriors and horses are on display. Discovery of the buried legion has aroused great interest all over the world, making it the world's eighth wonder listed in the "Records of World's legacies". In December 1987 The Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum and his Terracotta Army was listed in the Chronology of Recognition of World Heritages in China. Now, a big arch-roofed exhibition hall is set up over Pit No.1 where the restored terra-cotta warriors and horses are on display.

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