(ORDO NEWS) — Recently, the whole world spread the news about a sensational scientific discovery – in China, near the city of Xi’an (Shanxi Province), archaeologists found more than 220 ancient statues of terracotta warriors on the territory of the burial complex of the Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huangdi (259-210 BC).
The Terracotta Army, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, already had over 8,000 figures of warriors and horses, made in full accordance with the military attire of the 3rd century BC.
BC. And Qin Shi Huang is the ruler who united China and went down in history thanks to his grandiose projects and revolutionary reforms.
The Terracotta Army was created by order of the emperor to serve him in the afterlife more than 2,200 years ago and was accidentally found by peasants digging a well in 1974.
The find became an archaeological sensation of the 20th century, and the history of its creation is still shrouded in numerous mysteries, myths and superstitions.
Warriors of the Terracotta Army of all ranks, war chariots and weapons, the tomb of the emperor and other objects of the mausoleum of the emperor were specially recreated for the historical exhibition-reconstruction “Terracotta Army. Immortal Warriors of China”, which is currently taking place at VDNKh in Pavilion No. 21.
Modern technologies and visual effects immerse the visitor into the atmosphere of the mysterious and fascinating Ancient China.
Visiting the exhibition will undoubtedly be a useful addition to the program of general education and development of schoolchildren, as well as an excellent family vacation: children and adults get a unique opportunity to explore, discover and study the amazing history of our world.
Huge and great army
The Terracotta Army is only part of the huge burial complex of the first Chinese emperor, the most famous and explored. It was discovered in 1974 and for 50 years archaeological excavations have been carried out there almost continuously.
The Terracotta Army is located 1.5 km from the tomb of the emperor itself and forms a single complex with it. At the moment, more than 8,000 clay warriors and horses, weapons, armor and other artifacts have been found.
Empire needs defenders
It all started when the ruler of the Qin kingdom – Ying Zheng in 221 BC. conquered six neighboring kingdoms and declared new possessions of the Qin Empire – this was the territory of the future China.
Ying Zheng took the title “Qin Shi Huang” which translates to “First Emperor (or Divine Sovereign) Founder of Qin”.
Great ruler and his reforms
Qin Shi Huang was a great reformer. During his reign, standards for weights and measures, writing and money were introduced throughout the empire, thousands of kilometers of roads and water channels were built, and the construction of the Great Wall of China began.
The system of state administration introduced by the emperor, with some changes, was preserved in the empire for hundreds of subsequent years.
Happiness was short lived
The first emperor created an empire for 10,000 years ahead – this number in Chinese tradition also means infinity, but the empire lasted only 16 years. In 210 BC. At the age of 49, the emperor died suddenly.
After the death of Qin Shi Huang, his son came to power, but his reign was even shorter. Er Shi Huangdi held power in his hands for only 3 years.
In the course of uprisings and rebellions, the Qin dynasty fell, and in 206 BC. it was replaced by the no less famous Han Dynasty.
Emperor, he is an emperor in the underworld
The burial complex of the emperor has the size of a city – its area is 56 square meters. km. Qin Shi Huang’s ambitions had no limits and extended to his life in the afterlife.
Therefore, his burial complex is of grandiose dimensions and includes all the attributes of a monarch – a personal army, an apparatus of officials for the implementation of state affairs, acrobats and a pond with birds for recreation and entertainment, chariots for traveling, etc.
All these figures of people and animals were also found on the territory of the mausoleum.
How alive
Each warrior of the Terracotta Army has individual features and complexion that do not repeat. Clay statues served as so-called votive figures, replacing human sacrifices and symbolizing the subjects of Qin Shi Huang.
The soldiers of the Terracotta Army were supposed to serve the emperor in the underworld. To do this, unlike many other ancient traditions, where votive figures were most often reduced copies of people and animals, the emperor’s warriors were made in full growth.
The figures were made from life, so each warrior has an individual appearance. The uniforms of warriors corresponding to their military rank are also distinguished by realism.
Who will come to us with a sword…
Among the numerous finds, along with the warriors, their weapons were found, and for 2200 years they have not lost their strength and sharpness.
A good example of the excellent equipment of the Qin army is swords. Their average length was 60-90 cm, they were made of bronze. Only aristocrats and professional warriors who devoted their entire lives to military affairs used such edged weapons.
An amazing discovery for archaeologists was the fact that for a long time in the ground, the swords did not lose their sharpness. According to Chinese researchers, it is still possible to cut a pack of paper and even human hair with such a sword.
Ranged weapons
The bow was the most popular weapon in ancient China. His role in combat was very important, and shooting training took about 4 years. Bows were made from wood, horn, bone and silk.
They have not survived to this day, because the organic materials from which they were made could not withstand a long stay in the ground. However, judging by the position of the body, some figures of terracotta warriors definitely held a bow in their hands.
Like Greek statues
Warriors were originally colored. The work of creating warriors was standardized as much as possible, but at the same time, each warrior was created by hand. After connecting all the details, the figure was fired at a temperature of 900-1100 degrees and covered with black varnish.
Then the figures were painted with paints, so that 22 centuries ago all the warriors looked very believable, like they were alive. A long stay in moist soil damaged the coating, and now on some warriors you can see only the remnants of varnish and paints instead of their former splendor.
Most interesting place
The tomb of the emperor is still closed. Despite the fact that the general structure of the burial complex became clear to archaeologists already in the 1990s, the emperor’s burial chamber, perhaps its most interesting part, has not yet been opened.
The main reason for this, archaeologists call the imperfection of modern technology and the existing danger of damaging ancient artifacts. However, at the exhibition discussed above, the organizers created an interpretation of the imperial tomb, inspired by ancient texts.
—
Online:
Contact us: [email protected]
Our Standards, Terms of Use: Standard Terms And Conditions.