How Much Do You Know About Terra Cotta Horses and Warriors? - By: Grace Fan

Mausoleum of Qinshihuang (the first emperor in China), located in the east of Lintong County of Xi’an city, is discovered in 1974. Later on the condition of the founding built a large-scale museum and be opened on the national day of 1979. According to historical records, Emperor Ying Zheng began to build the mausoleum as soon as he was crowned. With Li Si (the prime minister) seeing to the design and layout and Zhang Han (the general) overseeing the construction, it took the labors a full 38 years to finally complete the project. With the population of about 20 million during the reign of Emperor Ying Zheng, over 720 thousand young adults were forced to build the mausoleum. The earth and stone used to build the mausoleum was transported from Shanliu village about 2,000 meters south by manpower. It was a very difficult project under the condition of the poor transportation. Therefore, many laborers worked themselves to death. This project reflected the cruel rule of feudal society in some way.

The tomb is an imposing hemispherical tumulus. About 43 meters high, it has a circumference of about 1,700 meters. The mausoleum is encircled by a double wall with inner structure extending more than 3,890 meters long and the outer one more than 6,294 meters long. There is one gate in the south, east and west while in the north has two gates. The Terra Cotta Horses and Warriors about 1,500 meters east of the mausoleum were found by a number of peasants in 1974. In the early spring of 1974, a number of peasants found some ancient bronze weapons while digging a well by chance. The discovery of the Terra Cotta Horses and Warriors stirred sensation at home and abroad. The people praised it as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”.

Museum of Qin Terra Cotta Horses and Warriors is a largest ancient military museum in China. The museum was approved to be national key heritage conservation department. In 1962, archaeologists made a complete prospection and got the conclusion that the whole mausoleum covered an area of 56,25 square kilometers which is the equivalent of 78 Imperial Palaces in Beijing, which has shocked the world. The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor was selected on the list of the World Heritage in 1987.

About the Author

Grace Fan is an English editor in ChinaTours Company. You can get detailed information on tours in China such as Beijing tours, Shanghai tours, Yangtze River Cruise, etc. For more information on destinations in China, you also can visit ChinaTourOnline.com.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Grace-Fan/93589

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