The Terracotta Army is one of the top attractions in China, because of its historical significance and uniqueness. It is significant because the hundreds of detailed lifesize models represent the army that triumphed over all other Chinese armies and who were the decisive factor in forming a united China.
The Terracotta Army Museum lies 2 km east of The Tomb of Qin Shihuang, known as the First Emperor, who unified China 2,200 years ago. Emperor Qin, from whom China gets its name, ordered the creation of this model army.
Why Were the Terracotta Warriors Made?
The army of terracotta statues was made to be buried with First Emperor Qin Shihuang:
as a show of his glory,
to remember the army that triumphed over the other Warring States to unite China, and
because it was believed that objects like statues can be animated in the afterlife, and because Qin Shihuang required an after-death army.
Athough the Terracotta Army have not been animated, they serve their first two purposes very well, standing on show, defying time, a majestic reminder of Emperor Qin’s military success, and the wars of long ago.
Terracotta Army Facts
The Terracotta Army was discovered in March 1974 by a farmer. The Terracotta Army was found near the tomb of Emperor Qin Shihuang, which took 38 years and 720 thousand builders to complete. The Terracotta Army was buried for 2,200 years. So far, 1,868 terracotta warriors and chariots have been unearthed.
