Here is our guide, Henry, who taught the kids a Chinese rap. They loved doing it with him. He lived there in Xi'an and was so knowledgeable about the soldiers. You could tell he loved talking about them!
We first went into a big warehouse where the kids could make their own miniature Terracotta soldier out of clay.
Tyson sitting in front of the life-sized Terracotta Soldier that his dad bought. This soldier will soon be part of the Wilde household! We then went to visit the three pits that are open to the public. (The fourth has no soldiers in it.) Current estimates are that the three pits contain 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots, 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses. 
The majority of the warriors and horses are still buried in the pits. It was seriously breathtaking to see all the soldiers and horse statues that have been unburied! They date back to 210 B.C. and were made by 7,000 workers for the purpose of helping Quin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, to rule another empire in the afterlife. 
The majority of the warriors and horses are still buried in the pits. It was seriously breathtaking to see all the soldiers and horse statues that have been unburied! They date back to 210 B.C. and were made by 7,000 workers for the purpose of helping Quin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, to rule another empire in the afterlife. It is amazing that these were only discovered in 1974 when some local farmers were drilling a water well. Had they dug even a foot further, they would never have found them!
The statues range in height from 6' to 6'5", the tallest being the generals. Heads, arms, legs, and torsos were created separately and then assembled. Each soldier was constructed to be unique. None of them look exactly alike. 
The terracotta figures were placed in the pits in precise military formation according to rank and duty.
The terracotta figures were placed in the pits in precise military formation according to rank and duty.
This is the skinniest soldier they have found. The remains of the craftsmen working in the tomb have been found within its confines, and it is believed the workers were sealed inside alive to prevent them from divulging anything about the tombs. 
The actual tomb where the emperor is buried is near an earthen pyramid. It remains unopened in the hope it will remain intact.
The original soldiers had colored lacquer finish with real weapons and armor on them. However, the original weapons were stolen about five years after the emperor's death by an army led by a general. They looted the tomb and set fire to it. This is how the remains were found, but with the help of laser imaging, the careful artisans are able to put them back together with so many little pieces.
Only one statute survived intact--a statute of a kneeling archer.
Pollution from coal burning plants in the area has brought soot on the surface of the statutes which is causing arms to fall off and noses and hairstyles to disappear. In addition, the excavators still haven't figured out a way to keep the vibrant colors on them which they so readily have when unearthed. It quickly fades. So recently officials have begun to bury sections of the pits to preserve the figures.
It was an exhausting day, but one we will all never forget. We got a ride back to the entrance on a little golf cart. Taylor got to ride in the front with the cute Asian girl. 
1 comment:
Loved reading this post and remembering what a good time we had. And believe it or not.....the soldier looks great in our house (did I just say that?) You did a great job explaining everything, and the pictures you took were fabulous!
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