The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses

Welcome to one of the most significant archaeological sites of the twentieth century. As we stand here at the threshold of the Museum of the Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, we are not merely entering a museum, but stepping…

Imagine it is March 1974, a particularly dry year in the Lintong District. A group of local farmers, led by a man named Yang Jhee-fah, began digging a well in a persimmon orchard, desperate for water [9-12]. …

As you stand on the elevated walkway of Pit One, the sheer magnitude of the emperor's vision becomes clear. This is the largest of the three excavated pits, containing the main force of the infantry. …

When we look at the warriors today, we see the grey-brown hue of fired clay. However, when they were first interred, they were vibrantly, perhaps even garishly, painted. …

While Pit One represents the raw power of the infantry, Pits Two and Three offer insight into the complexity of Qin military strategy. Pit Two, located to the north, is often called the 'Special Forces' pit. …

In a separate exhibition hall, you will find what many consider the crown jewels of the site: two bronze chariots and horses. Found in a pit near the emperor’s tomb mound, these are not terracotta but are cast in bronze and…

While the warriors are the most famous residents of this necropolis, they were not the only ones tasked with serving the emperor. Recent excavations have revealed pits containing non-military figures that shed light on the daily…

As we conclude our tour, take one last look over the sea of faces in the pits. It is estimated that there are still over six thousand figures waiting to be unearthed in the areas we have yet to excavate. …