Terracotta Army facts for kids

A terracotta soldier with his horse.

Xian Museum

The Terracotta Army is a huge collection of ancient clay sculptures. They represent the army of Qin Shi Huang, who was the first emperor of China. These amazing sculptures were made and buried over 2,000 years ago. You can find them near the city of Xi'an in China.

Farmers discovered the army by accident in 1974. They were digging a well to find water. Since then, more than a thousand clay warriors and horses have been found. Experts believe that at least 6,000 more are still hidden underground!

Why Was the Army Built?

According to an old Chinese historian named Sima Qian, Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered this army to be built. He started the project long before he became the first Emperor of all China in 221 BC. Work began when he was just the King of Qin in 247 BC.

The main reason for building the army was to protect him in the afterlife. This means they were meant to guard him in the next world after he died. The emperor passed away in 210 BC. Over 700,000 workers were needed to build the huge underground city where he was buried. People believe this underground palace is full of treasures and beautiful decorations. The Chinese government has no plans to dig up the emperor's palace itself.

What Do the Soldiers Look Like?

Each terracotta warrior is made from clay. They stand about 2 meters (or 6.5 feet) tall. The commanders in the army are the tallest figures. The sculptures are incredibly detailed. You can often guess the age, rank, and even the personality of each soldier. No two soldiers look exactly the same! Some of them carry weapons. These include daggers, bows and arrows, swords, spears, or axes.

How Were They Made?

The terracotta army figures were made in special workshops. Their heads, arms, legs, and bodies were created separately. Then, all these parts were put together. Studies show that workers probably used eight different face moulds. After that, they added more clay to give each soldier unique facial features. Once the parts were assembled, details like facial expressions were added.

It is thought that the legs of the figures were made in a similar way to clay drainage pipes from that time. This suggests that the army was made using an assembly line method. Different parts were made and fired separately. Then, they were put together, instead of crafting one solid piece. In those days, each workshop had to write its name on the items it produced. Once they were finished, the terracotta figures were placed in pits. They were arranged in precise military formations based on their rank and duty.

Images for kids

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  The mound where the tomb is located

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  Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, Hall 1

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  The museum complex containing the excavation sites

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  A terracotta soldier

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  Recreated figures of an archer and an officer, showing how they would have looked when painted

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  Bronze jian sword

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  A bronze armor unearthed from the site.

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  Terracotta Warriors exhibition in San Francisco, U.S.

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  View of the Terracotta Army

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  View of Pit 1, the largest excavation pit of the Terracotta Army

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See also

In Spanish: Guerreros de terracota para niños