The Terractta Army

Clay soldiers and the “Terracotta Army” represent the forces of China’s first emperor, Qin She Huang (259-210 BC). The purpose of the sculptures was to protect the emperor in his afterlife.

The Terracotta Army was discovered in China in 1974 by local farmers in the Shaanxi province while they were digging a well.
The collection consists of 8000 soldiers, 130 chariots, and 650 horses that were contained in three pits. The statues also include civilian figures such as government officials, acrobats, and musicians.

The history of the tomb was described a century after its completion by Chinese historian Sima Qian (145–90 BC). Qian wrote that construction began in 246 BC, not long after the emperor ascended to the throne at age 13. Up to 700,000 workers were employed in constructing the tomb.

Chinese geographer Li Daoyuan wrote an account of the tomb 600 years after the emperor’s death. According to Li, the emperor chose to be buried on Mount Li because he admired the geology of the region, which was rich in gold on its north side and in jade on its south side. His account states that “100 flowing rivers were simulated using mercury.” High levels of mercury found at the tomb lend credibility to this account.

The following is a translation of historian Sima Qian’s account:
When the First Emperor ascended the throne, the digging and preparation at Mount Li began. After he unified his empire, 700,000 men were sent there from all over his empire. They dug down deep to underground springs, pouring copper to place the outer casing of the coffin. Palaces and viewing towers housing a hundred officials were built and filled with treasures and rare artifacts. Workmen were instructed to make automatic crossbows primed to shoot at intruders. Mercury was used to simulate the hundred rivers, the Yangtze and Yellow River, and the great sea, and set to flow mechanically. Above, the heaven is depicted, below, the geographical features of the land. Candles were made of “mermaid”‘s fat which is calculated to burn and not extinguish for a long time. The Second Emperor said: “It is inappropriate for the wives of the late emperor who have no sons to be free”, ordered that they should accompany the dead, and a great many died. After the burial, it was suggested that it would be a serious breach if the craftsmen who constructed the tomb and knew of its treasure were to divulge those secrets. Therefore, after the funeral ceremonies had completed, the inner passages and doorways were blocked, and the exit sealed, immediately trapping the workers and craftsmen inside. None could escape. Trees and vegetation were then planted on the tomb mound such that it resembled a hill.

Reference
“Terracotta Army,” retrieved from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terracotta_Army).