Terracotta Warriors
Xi'an, China
September 19, 2005

In 1974, some farmers were digging a well and discovered a strange piece of pottery. Further investigation revealed the presence of as many as 6000 terracotta warriors and horses and other regalia buried at the site. Most of the statues were in small pieces. These warriors were created to protect the ruler of the Qin (Chin) Dynasty (around 220 BC) in the afterlife. Over the past 30 years the site has been improved and about 2000 of the warriors reassembled and the three excavated pits covered by several very large buildings. This remarkable archeological site has been sometimes called the 8th Wonder of the World. We visited the area and now share with you some photos.

This photo shows the warriors and horses. The photos that follow show them from many different views along with views of the three pits.

Pit 1 is 760 feet long and 200 feet wide with an area of 150,000 square feet.

The Qin (Chin) Period was about 220 BC for 15 years (2200 years ago).

We see here some partially restored statues.

This is what the archeologists started with before restoration.

Pit 2 is 400 feet long and 323 feet wide and 15 feet deep.

Much smaller Pit 3 showing pieces as they were found.

This shows just one small area that has been recovered.

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