Library Guides: Ancient China: Terracotta Warriors

Source: Manoj kumar kasirajan (2018)

The Terracotta Warriors were discovered in 1974 in China’s Shaanxi province. They were one of the great archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century and are often described as the eighth wonder of the world. The warriors were created over two thousand years ago and they represent the armies of Qin Shihuang, first emperor of China. The warriors were his ‘guardians of immortality’ – they were designed to protect the first emperor in the afterlife. Read through the resources below to learn more about these incredible ancient artefacts.

Terracotta Warriors from the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor of China (Khan Academy, n.d.)
Qin Shihuang (259-210 B.C.E.) conquered much in this life, but his driving purpose was even greater; he sought to conquer death. In order to achieve immortality, he built himself a tomb—a vast underground city guarded by a life-size terracotta army including warriors, infantrymen, horses, chariots and all their attendant armour and weaponry. Read through this article to learn more.
Terracotta warriors: an army for life (Live Science, 2016, November 29)
Chinese workers digging a well in 1974 made a startling discovery: thousands of life-size terracotta figures of an army prepared for battle. Now called the Terracotta Army or Terracotta Warriors, the figures are located in three pits near the city of Xi'an in China's Shaanxi province. After the warriors were discovered, the site became a museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Read through this article to learn more.
Emperor Qin's tomb (National Geographic, n.d.)
Workers digging a well outside the city of Xi'an, China, in 1974 struck upon one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world: a life-size clay soldier poised for battle. The diggers notified Chinese authorities, who dispatched government archaeologists to the site. They found not one, but thousands of clay soldiers, each with unique facial expressions and positioned according to rank. And though largely grey today, patches of paint hint at once brightly coloured clothes. Further excavations have revealed swords, arrow tips, and other weapons, many in pristine condition. Read through this article to learn more.
5 things you may not know about the Terracotta Army (History Channel, 2018, August 22)
On March 29, 1974, Chinese farmers digging a well near Xi’an made one of the most spectacular archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.

Secrets of the terracotta army : tomb of an ancient Chinese emperor by Michael Capeck
Publication Date: 2015
Describes the archeological wonders of the Terracotta Army, including discovery, artifacts, ancient peoples, and preservation.
The terracotta army and other lost treasures by John Malam
Publication Date: 2011
From the Chinese Emperor's army of 8000 clay soldiers to the golden artefacts of El Dorado, read about famous lost treasures throughout the world in this visually stunning book which brings together an exciting blend of historical events and archaeological discoveries.
Emperor Qin's terra cotta army by Michael Capeck
Publication Date: 2008
One day in 1974, a group of farmers in rural China found a life-size clay statue of a man's head buried deep in a field. When government archaeologists inspected the area, they discovered that beneath the ground were more than eight thousand life-size clay|soldiers, each one with a unique face. In nearby chambers, they unearthed clay horses, carefully preserved swords, bronze statues, and other astonishing things. Where did these treasures come from? And why were they buried? Slowly the story revealed|itself. It centred around Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of China, who died in 210 BC. For forty years leading up to his death, thousands of artists from across China had sculpted an enormous city where he would be buried, guarded, and protected by|thousands of clay soldiers. The city remained hidden for over two thousand years. This important archaeological find offers amazing insight into the civilisation of ancient China.