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The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in China, now the "Museum of
Qin Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and Horses", is one of the 20th century's
greatest historical finds. Discovered while digging for a well in 1974, an entire
area was unearthed to reveal what today stands as one of the most astounding creations
of man-kind. The excavations in Xian, which is located in the Shaanxi Province
of China in the Lintong County, brought to light thousands of terra cotta soldiers
along with their weapons, chariots and horses. Though there still remains much
more to be dug up, the so far recovered Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in
China covers an area of 16,300 Sq Meters. In fact, it is supposed that the original
Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in China spans an area of 50 Sq Km.
Ordered by Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, all the recovered
warriors, weapons - like bows, arrows, swords and spears - and horses were made
to assist him in his afterlife. The catch lies in the part that Qin Shi Huang
commissioned them at the age of 13, as soon as he ascended the throne! These
funerary statues took 11 years and the best craftsmen to make. It was completed
in 210 BC. The current Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in China is segregated
into three portions - Pit 1, Pit 2, and Pit 3 - into the order of their findings.
All these figures are life-sized. Each warrior is crafted according to his military
rank and status. The difference can be told from the difference in attire, uniform,
hairstyles and also footwear. So, this terra cotta army says a lot about not
just their makers, but also the customs and practices of the age. Around 7,000
statues have been unearthed so far and also restored to their original shapes.
Also, along with these statues, bronze life-sized horses with leather bridles,
alloy weapons, Jade objects and bone objects have also been excavated. The Mausoleum
of the First Qin Emperor in China is now one of the World Heritage Sites recognized
by the UNESCO.
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