First Emperor of China – One Mans Terracotta Army
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While sinking a well outside the city of Xi’an in 1974, a group of Chinese peasants discovered fragments of terracotta. Continuing digging, one side of the well disappeared into an underground pit. The group discovered what the British Museum is currently in preparation for and its largest exhibition to date — an entire army of terracotta warriors from the tomb of the First Emperor of China to guard him in the afterlife.
Photo Damien Whitworth / Times Online
The roof of the pit collapsed, crushing the figures into pieces which had to be painstakingly reassembled. “At first we were not sure what they were,” says Yuan Zhongyi, the first director of the site. “It was a year before we realised the significance. We found inscriptions on the weapons that linked them to the first Emperor. It was very exciting to find so many objects. There had never been a find like this before. It was not only me that was surprised. People from all over the world were excited.”
Even more pits were discovered bearing more terracotta figures of members of the imperial court. Covering more than 30 square miles (50 kilometers), about 600 pits in total have been discovered in the mausoleum. Approximately 1,900 figures have been unearthed, with an estimated 8,000 in total from all of the pits discovered to date, reports Times Online.
Qin Shihuangdi became the emperor of China in 221BC, uniting the warring kingdoms, developing the official monetary system, language, code of law, and weights and measures. The empire he created lasted to the beginning of the 20th century. It’s believed that the country founded its name from the derivation of Qin’s name which is pronounced as ‘Chin’.
His obsession to find an elixir that would give him eternal life eluded him, so in turn he decided to surround himself with baked clay models of the soldiers, officials, servants and entertainers that he’d need in the after-life.
Figure thought to be an acrobat, part of The First Emperor – China’s Terracotta Army at The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London
Intense negotiations between the British Museum and Chinese authorities have come to an agreement to permit 120 pieces to be moved to Britain, the largest collection to have been allowed out of China.
Neil MacGregor, director of the British Museum, says that he predicts it will be “the biggest and most important exhibition we have put on, certainly the biggest in terms of scale. The only comparison would be Tutankhamen”. The First Emperor is already setting new records with 36,000 advance tickets sold.
“You can’t replicate the experience of seeing the mass of figures,” says MacGregor. “What I want to do is really give the visitor the experience you can’t get here.” Visitors will be permitted to get very close to the figures for the display in the Reading Room.
MacGregor said, “The care taken with each one is miraculous. The people who made them must have really enjoyed doing it.” Some speculate they were created by forced labor for which joy would have been absent. “But there is so much more detail here than it needs. It’s hard to imagine you wouldn’t enjoy doing it.” argues MacGregor.
Kneeling archer, thought to represent a military guard (Museum of the Terracotta Army)
It’s reported that the tomb mound itself has barely been touched due to sensitivities of disturbing the sleep of the First Emperor. Technology may eventually allow a delicate exploration of the site, but it may never be opened. “I hope there won’t be any more discoveries because of all the conservation work required,” says Wu Yongqi, the current director of the site. “But the ordinary people hope that we carry on finding things.”
The First Emperor’s Army
Adult males would have entered military service as part of their tax obligations. They were registered once they reached a height of 4 feet 11 inches at age of 16 until they retired, between the ages of 56 and 60.
Light infantryman (British Museum)
A general’s power was symbolized by the ceremonial giving of the axe. Until a general had returned the axe even the ruler could not countermand his orders in the field.
A general’s rank was marked by his armor. He wore a helmet with a hole in the side for his hair knot which he wore low, whereas his men wore their hair knotted on top. His armor extended down to his waist, with a triangular extension covering the abdomen made of about 250 scales held together by colored ribbons, straps and buttons.
The British Museum Exhibit
The exhibition at the British Museum includes a number of the terracotta warriors from Xi’an, China, as well as some of the most striking recent discoveries made on the site.
The exhibit will run from September 13 2007 to April 6 2008, for which you can book tickets online, or call 020-732 38181.
The First Emperor of China – Part 1 (Man Who Made China)
The First Emperor of China – Part 2 (Man Who Made China)
The First Emperor of China – Part 3 (Man Who Made China)
The First Emperor of China – Part 4 (Man Who Made China)
Tags:ancient army artifacts British Museum discovery exhibit exhibition First Emperor of China Qin Shihuangdi terracotta warriors
what an exciting exhibition that would be Deborah !!!!
I love the terracotta warriors…….such a unique style !!!!…..
It will be an amazing exhibition to say the least. I’d love to see it!
This is simply outstanding. Would love to see, live, all those soldiers, horses, weapons and so forth. Just fascinating!
From what I could tell Oom, these statues appeared to be life-sized or even taller. Fascinating indeed!
Wow. It would be amazing to be part of the exhibition. Incredible to say the least !
i like it