1.The Discovery and Excavation of Qin’s Terra-cotta Army
It was in March 1974, where local farmers were drilling a well in search of water, that large pottery fragments were discovered 1.5 kilometers east of the Emperor Qin’s Mausoleum. This finds subsequently led to the revelation of pit of the revelation of one pit of the First Qin’s buried army 2,200 years ago. Since then continual archaeological work on excavation discovered another two pits successively. It has been revealed that three underground pits totally cover an area of 22,000 square meters, housing an estimated 8,000 life-size pottery warriors and horses.
The three pits were built in similar basic construction. They are five to seven meters beneath the present ground level with the terra-cotta figures placed in corridors. The corridors, divided by earth-rammed partition walls, are paved with pottery bricks on which the figures were placed. The earth walls sustained wood roof that was covered by layers of fiber mats, earth fill and tilled earth. All these were constructed to totally conceal the army.
The three pits vary in size and shape. Pit 1 is the largest one in rectangular shape, lLand infantrymen. It is specially used for supporting the main force; Pit 3, located 25 meters to the north of Pit 1 and to the west of Pit 2, was evidently the headquarters. The total three pits are located to the east of Emperor Qin’s Mausoleum, determining that the army was facing east, with its back to the tomb, serving as guardians to protect the entrance of the Emperor’s burial.
Pit 1
Pit 1, the largest pit, is in a rectangular shape. It measures 230 meters long from east to west, 62 meters wide from north to south and 5 meters deep, covering an area of 14,260 square meters. Five sloping roadways into the pits were constructed on eastern and western sides of pits to permit access.
The terra-cotta warriors and horses are arrayed in a practical battle formation. At the end of the pit there are three rows of vanguards, 68 in each, totaling 204 soldiers who were originally equipped with genuine bows and crossbows. Immediately behind vanguards is the main body of the battle formation: 30 chariots, each of which was drawn by four horses, armored and unarmored soldiers held weapons originally, such as spears, halberds etc. Around the outer edge, there is one row of soldiers with crossbows facing south, north and west respectively as the flanks to guard the sides and rear of the army. According to the density of each trial trench that has been excavated, it’s assumed that more than 6,000 pottery warriors and horses will be unearthed from Pit 1, most of which was infantrymen.
Pit 2
Located 20 meters to the north of Pit 1 at the eastern end, Pit 2 is in “L” shape with a protruding rectangular area at the northern corner. This pit was discovered in 1976, covering an area of 6,000 square meters. Different from Pit 1, over 1,300 pottery figures in Pit 2 were placed in four specialized military forces:
The protruding northeast area houses 332 archers in all, 160 kneeling or standing soldiers, face eastward.
The south area is composed of war chariots. Total 64 chariots were arrayed in 8 columns, also facing east, eight chariots with their chariot hoses in each column. Originally made of wood, the chariots were completely deteriorated when unearthed. Each chariot in this group was accompanied with a charioteer, who was flanked by two attendant soldiers carrying long weapons.
The middle area consists of war chariots in the front, immediately followed by infantrymen and the cavalry at the rear.
The north area has only cavalry. There are totally 108 cavalrymen. Each of the cavalrymen stands in front of his saddled war-horses, holding the reins in right hand and a bow in left hand.
The four arrays seemed to exist independently, but could be assembled immediately to constitute a complete battle formation during the war times. This reflected the unique military strategy of Qin army- army array within army array.
Pit 3
It is the smallest of the three pits and was discovered in 1976. only four 68 pottery figures and one chariot drawn by four horses were unearthed in the pit. It is of U-shape about 520 square meters. Pit 3 is now known as the command center of the entire army, because the following reasons.
Its position in the far northwest corner of the overall plan ensured that it was well protected by the armies of the two larger pits.
At the eastern end of the pit, there is a sloping road served as the entrance, then followed by an armored ornate canopied chariot with four armored officers. The chariot with canopy was colorful painted, representing higher rank.
In the northern and south side chambers, 64 fully armored figures were found. Unlike the soldiers in Pit 1 and Pit 2, these figures were arrayed face-to-face with their backs to the wall, suggest that they were the guards. Even the weapons held by these guards are different from those in another two pits. One particular weapon named “Shu”, which had no blades, only unearthed from Pit 3, it was believed used by the guards of honor.
In the northern chamber, a piece of broken deer horn and some remains of animal bones were found at one time. Generals used them as ritual objects for those religious practices, praying for the protection from the Gods before each battle.
Once the terra-cotta warriors and horses were all arrayed inside the corridors, the entrances were closed. It meant a sealed united army was formed to guard Emperor Qin’s underground palace.

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