Terra cotta warriors from mausoleum of the first Qin emperor of China.



Terra cotta warriors from mausoleum of the first Qin emperor of China. Qin Dynasty. c. 221–209 B.C.E. Painted terra cotta.
  • 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 armor and weaponry.
  • A sprawling citadel has been unearthed, complete with gardens and stables, bronze ritual vessels, jade jewelry, and a wealth of gold and silver ornaments.
  • insight to the First Emperor’s worldview and enduring influence.
  • During his reign, he introduced the standardization of currency, writing, measurements and more. He connected cities and states with advanced systems of roads and canals. He is also credited with continuing the construction of the Great Wall, which is perhaps the most widely-known symbol still associated with China to this day.
  • He is regarded as a military genius, his methods included massacre and destruction
  • He was deeply concerned with the universe and looked to the cosmos as a guide for crossing over to an immortal existence.
  • the First Emperor lined his burial complex with a treasury of riches and piles of precious gemstones said to represent the stars, sun and moon. 
  • strangely high levels of mercury; Some suggest that the emperor believed mercury had life-giving power and so surrounded himself with the toxic element, believing it was yet another way he might live forever.
  • Of all the accomplishments from this extraordinary period, the unification of China is, without question, the greatest symbol of the Qin dynasty’s power and influence. 
  • Born in a time of turmoil in China's history, he left a legacy of a centralized and bureaucratic state that would be carried onto successive dynasties over the next two millennia.
  • the dig uncovered horses, chariots, bronze ritual vessels, jade jewelry, and gold and silver ornaments.
  • One of the most extraordinary features of the terracotta warriors is that each appears to have distinct features—an incredible feat of craftsmanship and production.
  • OVER 7 THOUSAND FIGURES
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