Our Travels in China
The Terra Cotta Warriors.
When we left Beijing, we flew DragonAir two hours to Xi’an, home of the Terra Cotta Warriors. In 1974, two farmers were digging a water well when they discovered some pieces of terra cotta. They decided there might be some significance and contacted an archaeologist who immediately recognized the importance of this find. Excavation began and what was found captured the attention of the world. 
The Terra Cotta Army dates back to 246 B.C.when the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, began planning an elaborate tomb for his burial. In addition to his massive mausoleum, he wanted many warriors to guard him in the afterlife. The result was an army of perhaps 8,000 soldiers, more than 100 chariots and 600 horses.
Scientists from around the world have studied this collection and have concluded that each warrior was handcrafted, with individual 
features, expressions, hair, and beards. Heights vary, with officers generally taller and wearing symbols of their rank on the uniforms. While many of the soldiers’ weapons have since decayed, enough parts, such as swords, arrowheads, battle-axes, spears and shields, indicate that each clay soldier came prepared to fight. 
When the emperor died in 210 B.C., his terra cotta army was positioned on one side of his elaborate necropolis to protect him from enemies. Unfortunately, the roofs covering most of the soldiers collapsed over the centuries, falling in and breaking the terra cotta men. Scientists have painstakingly pieced them back together and now the public can view thousands of these more-than-2,000 year-old warriors, standing in rank file, ready for duty.
It is an 
amazing sight, a testament, not only to the craftsmanship two millennia ago, but to the power of the emperors in ancient China. It is difficult to stand and view this sight and not be impressed by the sheer magnitude of craftsmanship from over 2200 years ago.
Another remarkable sight in China.
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Thanks for a very interesting article. I’ve seen pictures of these warriors and wondered about the story behind them, but never really looked up any information. It’s wonderful that you actually got to see them. To know the details makes them even more amazing.
Thanks, Martha, for the comment. It is truly amazing to see these soldiers from over 2,000 years ago. Overall, a great trip.
I have read about this awesome find. How fortunate you are to have visited. It’s hard to wrap one’s mind around this how massive in number and detail these warriors are. There’s no other site in China I’drather experience.
It is a most impressive site – particularly when you consider it’s age. The Chinese think in terms of dynasties and thousands of years. Hard to adjust from centuries to millennia – for me at least. Thanks for stopping by Lesley.
This is fascinating to me! Imagine these surviving still. Must have been incredible too see~
Thanks. It was pretty amazing – not only to see what survived but also what an emperor could demand – and get.
It must have been an awesome sight–something no one can appreciate by seeing mere photos. Possible subject of a new mystery??
You are absolutely right. Pictures can not do justice. And on the other topic, surely there is a mystery here, a great setting. I’ll keep it in mind. thanks for stopping by.
Fascinating historical site. I’m so pleased you got to see it. (Envy, envy). What a wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing your trip and your photos.
Thanks for the nice comment. We had talked about going to China for several years. Finally, I said, let’s quit talking about it and just go. It was a memorable experience. Scratch one more item off my bucket list. Again, thanks for visiting.