a. Brief Introduction
The Qinshihuang Mausoleum and the Pits containing terracottawarriors and horses are located in Lintong County, near Xi'an City,capital of Shaanxi Province. Constructed from 246 BC to 208 BC, themausoleum was the first of its kind in Chinese history. With a heightof 76 m, the mausoleum is laid out in line with the dimensions ofXianyang, the capital of the Qin Dynasty. It is composed of the innercompound and the outer compound, which have perimeters of 2.5 km and6.3 km, respectively. The tomb is located in the southwest of the innercompound.
The pits containing the terracotta army guarding the mausoleum werediscovered in 1974. Three pits have been excavated so far. Occupying anarea of over 200,000 sq. m, the three pits are arranged in a triangularshape, facing the east. A total of 8,000 life-size terracotta warriors,chariots and horses, and hundreds of bronze weapons have been excavatedfrom the pits.
Two bronze carriages excavated from the west of mausoleum have fourhorses harnessed to each, and in each stand an official and a driver.They display an exquisite casting technique, and are regarded as bronzemasterpieces and national treasures.
Continuing excavation of the mausoleum area promises to reveal more wonders in the years to come.
b. Cultural Heritage
The Qinshihuang Mausoleum is one of the world's largest imperialmausoleums. Although the actual tomb chamber has not been excavatedyet, probes have determined that it is a luxurious underground palacewith a unique structure and abundant funeral objects.
Many state leaders and experts worldwide believe that the discoveryof the pits is a major archeological find and can be called the eighthwonder of the world, paralleling Egypt's pyramids. The excavatedobjects are precious material for the study of military science,politics, economy, culture, science and arts of the Qin Dynasty, over2,000 years ago.
The terracotta warriors and horses represent a peak in the world'shistory of the art of pottery, adding glamour to China's civilizationand the world's esthetics.
c. Bronze Treasures
When arrows, spears, daggers and swords were excavated, it was hardto believe that they had been buried in damp soil for over 2,000 years.
These bronze weapons still glitter, and are so sharp that 19 layersof newspaper can be sliced through with them. Chemical tests indicatethat all these weapons are made of bronze containing various otherkinds of metals, and were processed to defy rust.
d. History
The mausoleum was originally called Lishan Hill. It was recordedthat the mausoleum, covered by trees and grass, was 120 meters high andwith the perimeter of 2167 meters, looking like a real hill. However,since it was made of soil instead of stones, its height has beenreduced to only 64.97 meters due to years of erosion and man-madedamage.
