Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor Xian
China - Xian - Beijing - Guangzhou - Chengdu - Dalian - Shenzhen - Shanghai - Hangzhou
Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, Xian
One of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the last century occurred in March 1974, near the city of Xian in the north-central province of Shaanxi. The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor was found here. Emperor Qin, surrounded by the famous terracotta warriors, at the centre of a complex designed to mirror the urban plan of the capital, Xianyan was buried at this site. The purpose of the Terracotta Warriors was to protect the Emperor in the afterlife. Consequently, they are also sometimes referred to as "Qin's Armies".
Almost one hundred pits containing the skeletons of horses and terra cotta grooms constituted the emperor's stables. Even hay was provided. Other pits held clay models of birds and plants and must have represented his parks. Some twenty tombs probably hold the remains of his councilors and retainers. At the center of the necropolis is a mound that marks the emperor's own grave; it has not yet been excavated. The historical records of the first century BC state that the tomb contained palaces and pavilions filled with rare gems and other treasures, and was equipped with crossbows to shoot automatically any intruders; the ceiling was inlaid with pearls to simulate the sun, stars and the moon, the floors and walls were lined with bronze to keep out water and mercury was pumped in to give the image of flowing rivers. , they are masterpieces of realism and also of great historical interest.
These sites have enhanced our knowledge and understanding of the Qin system, culture, clothing and material civilization.
Today nearly two million people visit the site annually, and almost one-fifth are foreigners. The Terracotta Army now serves as an icon of China's distant past recognizable to the world over. The power and military achievement of the First Emperor Qin Shi Huang is evident in the massive and monumental achievements present throughout his tomb complex, most notably the 8,900(about) terracotta figures eternally serving to protect their leader.