The incredible history of China's terracotta warriors - Megan Campisi and Pen-Pen Chen
TED-Ed・3 minutes read
Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi's tomb in China houses over 8,000 life-size clay soldiers, chariots, horses, musicians, acrobats, and officials, sculpted by 720,000 laborers in precise battle formation, standing as a remarkable archaeological discovery with vivid historical significance. The clay soldiers were originally painted in bright colors but now show only the terracotta base due to air exposure, while the emperor's sealed tomb nearby safeguards its treasures, providing a unique insight into ancient Chinese history and burial practices.
Insights
- Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi's tomb in China, discovered in 1974, contained over 8,000 life-size clay soldiers in battle formation, showcasing intricate details of soldiers, chariots, horses, and officials crafted by a massive labor force.
- The terracotta army, part of the tomb's necropolis, features soldiers with unique characteristics and once vividly painted colors, now faded due to exposure, while the emperor's sealed tomb nearby remains a protected site preserving valuable treasures.
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Recent questions
What is the Terracotta Army?
The Terracotta Army is a collection of life-size clay soldiers.
Who discovered the Terracotta Army?
Farmers discovered the Terracotta Army in 1974.
How were the Terracotta Army figures made?
The figures were sculpted from terracotta clay.
What is the significance of the Terracotta Army?
The Terracotta Army provides insight into ancient Chinese culture.
Why are the Terracotta Army figures no longer brightly colored?
Exposure to air caused the paint to fade.
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Summary
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Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army: Ancient Discovery
- In 1974, farmers discovered a vast underground tomb near a small village in China, belonging to Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, containing over 8,000 life-size clay soldiers arranged in battle formation.
- Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of China, constructed this underground necropolis filled with terracotta figures of soldiers, chariots, horses, musicians, acrobats, and government officials, all sculpted from terracotta clay by over 720,000 laborers.
- The terracotta army, standing in precise battle formation, includes soldiers with distinct features, weapons, and uniforms, originally painted in bright colors but now only showing the terracotta base due to exposure to air, with the emperor's actual tomb nearby, sealed to protect its treasures.
