Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in Shaanxi Province, China
The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor is the largest mausoleum ever discovered in the world. The mausoleum covers a total of 2.18 million square meters with the tomb itself covering 220,000 square meters. The tomb’s original height is 166 meters high but weathering and damage have reduced it to only 76 meters. The tomb’s bottom measures 485 meters by 515 meters. The mausoleum consisted of inner and outer sections. In addition, an underground palace has been discovered. The construction of the original project involved some 700,000 laborers and took 36 years to be completed.
Presently, the tomb of the Qin Emperor has not been excavated. However, the army of terracotta warriors that has been buried with him has already been unearthed. The army is considered the eighth wonder of the world. They are the largest pottery figurine group ever unearthed in China. So far, three pits containing such figurines have been excavated. They cover a total area of 20,000 square meters. Some 8,000 life-sized warriors demonstrate a powerful military array under the rule of the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, 2,200 years ago.
The first pit was discovered in 1974 and covers 14,000 square meters. It contains more than 6,000 terracotta warriors lined up in battle-readiness that creates an awe-inspiring effect. The pit also contains a large number of chariots, weapons and other precious relics. An unearthed bronze horse-driven chariot is the largest bronze ware ever found in the world.
The terracotta warriors were first discovered by Chinese peasants while digging a well. This discovery prompted archaeologists to proceed to Shaanxi, China to investigate. The Terracotta Army is a form of funerary art buried with the Emperor of Qin (Qin Shi Huang) in 209-210 BC. Their purpose was to help rule another empire with Shi Huang Di in the afterlife. Consequently, they are also sometimes referred to as “Qin’s Armies.” The Terracotta Warriors were discovered in March 1974 by local farmers and Chinese peasants to the east of Mount Li. Mount Li is also where the material to make the terracotta warriors originated. In addition to the warriors, an entire man-made necropolis for the emperor has been excavated.
Qin Shi Huangdi’s necropolis complex was constructed to serve as an imperial compound or palace. It comprises several offices, halls and other structures and is surrounded by a wall with gateway entrances. The remains of the craftsmen working in the tomb have also been found within its confines, and it is believed they were sealed inside alive to prevent them from divulging information about the tombs.
The terracotta figures were manufactured both in workshops by government laborers and also by local craftsmen. The head, arms, legs and torsos were created separately and then assembled. Studies show that eight face moulds were most likely used, and then clay was added to provide individual facial features. Once assembled, intricate features such as facial expressions were added. It is believed that their legs were made in much the same way that terracotta drainage pipes were manufactured at the time. This would make it an assembly line production, with specific parts manufactured and assembled after being fired, as opposed to crafting one solid piece of terracotta and subsequently firing it. In those days, each workshop was required to inscribe its name on items produced to ensure quality control. This has aided modern historians in verifying that workshops that once made tiles and other mundane items were commandeered to work on the terracotta army. Upon completion, the terracotta figures were placed in the pits in precise military formation according to rank and duty. The terracotta figures are life-like and life-sized with varying height, uniform and hairstyle in accordance with their rank. Although, little can be discerned presently, the lacquer finish is very colorful and very life-like as well as the individual facial features, replica weapons and armor.
The four pits associated with the dirt are about 1.5km east of the burial ground and are about 7 meters deep. They are solidly built with rammed earth walls and ground layers as hard as concrete. Pit 1 is 230 meters long and contains the main army which is estimated at 6,000 warriors. Pit One has 11 corridors, most of which are over 3 meters wide, and paved with small bricks with a wooden ceiling supported by large beams and posts. This design was also used for the tombs of noblemen and would have resembled palace hallways. The wooden ceilings were covered with reed mats and layers of clay for waterproofing and then mounded with more soil making them when built about 2 to 3 meters higher than the ground level.[7] Pit 2 has cavalry and infantry units as well as war chariots, and is thought to represent a military guard. Pit 3 is the command post, with high ranking officers and a war chariot. Pit 4 is empty, seemingly left unfinished by its builders.