Terracotta Warriors

Xian 2016

Great excitement this morning as Anne and I are about to cross off another goal on our bucket list - the Terracotta Warriors!!

Our wonderful guide, Bryan Bai, arrived at our hotel right on 7 am to whisk us off to a not-to-be-forgotten day. 

The Warriors are about 30 kms outside the city of Xian, in pretty countryside.   They were discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well.  As the archeologists moved in to preserve the site the local inhabitants were moved into new housing nearby.   In the past, visitors were able to drive up close to the pits and museum but it was discovered that the vibration of the cars and buses was detrimental to the delicate treasures.  Today the car park is further away and there's a 15 minute walk. 

Anne, Dennis & Bryan on walk into the Museum & Warriors

Qin Shi Huang Di, or Emperor Qin, was the first ruler to unite China as one nation.   He inherited the throne in c245 BC at the age of 13 and not long after work began on his mausoleum and the Terracotta Warriors. He died 40 years later when it was still incomplete.   It is estimated that there are more than 8,000 warriors, 130 chariots and 670 horses.  Recent digs have uncovered terracotta musicians, acrobats and waterfowl.  The emperor treated death as life and here he could ensure the continuation of his power and luxurious lifestyle.
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Pit 1

Pit 1 is the largest and most impressive.  The warriors are marshaled into well organised battle formation with infantry and cavalry.  The vanguard includes 210 foot soldiers divided equally into three lines. The cavalry and war chariots follow close in line, forming the main body of the battle line. The foot soldiers are alternated with the chariots drawn by horses, lined into 38 columns. On both sides of the formation stand 180 warriors who serve as flank guards. The rear guards are in two lines, one facing east and the other facing west.

Soldiers facing outward & guarding the flank

Pit 2

Pit 2 is not fully excavated but it is the forward position of the army in Pit 1.  It has a much more sophisticated battle formation of archers, infantry, cavalry and chariots.  There is an estimated 1,300 warriors and 80 war chariots.

A debate revolves around one warrior here called the "Green Soldier".  His face (now faded) is painted green and with the stringent quality control used in the making of the warriors, it is not likely that his unusual facial colour was a mistake.  There is some thought that he may be an early example of guerilla warfare.

The Green Soldier

In Pit 2 were found a terracotta General decorated with military honours, a seated archer (found 95% complete) and a soldier with his saddled horse.....

The General

The Seated Archer

The horses were highly trained and beautifully equipped but they had no stirrups which would have made them difficult to ride and control.
 

Pit 3 was the command post at the rear of the armies in Pits 1 and 2.  (What happened to the missing heads?  It is generally believed now that these warriors never had their heads.  A fourth pit has been partially excavated but proved to be empty, a testament to the original unfinished construction).

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In 1980 two bronze chariots and horses were discovered a few kilometres away from this site, close to the mausoleum of Emperor Qin.  They were buried in a large wooden box, 7 metres long, and were so extensively damaged that they required years of restoration.  The first was displayed to the public in this complex in 1983 and the other in 1988.

 The treasure trove of the two chariots which lay hidden for more than 2,000 years!  They are made with bronze and cast bullion and decorated with nearly 1,800 pieces of gold and silver.

 

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Hail the new warriors! 

At the end of our tour we had such fun having our picture taken with the "warrirors"... Dennis was in his element!   Afterwards Bryan took us to lunch in the market square.  Again, the bowls of beautiful food appeared in a matter of minutes.  

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Our wonderful Xian guide, Bryan Bai.

Bryan was generous with his time, leading us knowledgeably and at our pace.

We enjoyed his company as much as we enjoyed the marvelous places he revealed to us!

You can contact Bryan:

Email:   13991987358@139.com

Web:   www.xianhistorytourguide.com

or search Trip Advisor:   Xian History Tour

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