Terra Cotta Soldiers

The Subterranean Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang - The 8th Wonder of the World.

Qin Shi Huang was born in 259 BC and died in 210 BC. He was only 13 when he became King. When he turned 22 he was formerlly crowned in 238 BC. He had the Prime Minister murdered and his mother put under house arrest. He developed both agriculture and the military. Under him China became a unified, multi-nationality empire under a central government. He established himself as the First Emperor. He completed projects that included a network of roads and the linking up of defensive walls and fortifications and thus began the Great Wall of China. According to estimates based on historical records, in the first 10 years of China's unification, 500,000 soldiers were sent to guard the mountains in southern China, 500,000 laborers were recruited to build the Great Wall, 300,000 troops were stationed in the north against teh Xiongnu tribes, 700,000 men engaged in the construction of the E'fang Palace and the mauseleum of the E'fang Palace and Emperor Qin Shi Huang.

In 1974 when 3 villagers began to dig for a well they struck hard earth. The pics show what they actually came across. 3 pits were discovered - 20,000 sq mt. - 8000 terracotta warriors and horses and more than 100 wooden war chariots.

These are all life size figures - possibly even bigger than the people of that day. It is an amazing museum to see. There is work still going on in the repair of figures. There are many still be to uncovered.