MARVELS OF THE WORLD -- 05 : TERRACOTTA WARRIORS, CHINA

TERRACOTTA WARRIORS : HIDDEN TREASURES

(By Subbaram Danda)

“Welcome to the eighth Wonder of the World,” a young English-speaking Chinese guide with a glint in her eyes greeted a group of tourists, including some from India.  They were about to see thousands of life-size clay statues of Chinese warriors and horses, which lay buried for more than 2,200 years but now largely excavated.

 “The Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses” is a vast complex tastefully developed with broad well-paved roads, neat lawns and flower gardens.  It consists essentially of three major vaults (also called pits) and two halls.  It is located near the city of Xian in China and receives over two million Chinese and foreign tourists a year.

The statues have an exotic history.  The first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang of the Qin dynasty, entertained a desire that clay statues of his army constituents should be buried along with him when he died so that they could “accompany him during his eternal rest.”  What a bizarre wish!   Accordingly, the figures were made in life-size format using the local clay and then baked in a kiln.  They also received a dash of paint.  Thousands of potters and other artisans were on the job.

Life-size clay statues of warriors in the main vault

Colossal magnitude

Finally, the emperor’s desire was fulfilled and according to the calculations of archaeologists, clay sculptures of a colossal magnitude were buried -- as many as of 8,000 soldiers, 500 horses, and 150 cavalry stallions.  There were also 130 wooden chariots.

Interestingly, the buried treasures came to light accidentally.   The terracotta statues were discovered when some local farmers tried to dig a well in 1974.  The finding caught the eye of many archeologists and the Government did not lose time in announcing that a museum would be set up at the site.

Vault 1 is the main centre of attraction.  A broad solid platform has been constructed well above the level of the statues skirting the entire excavated area in a rectangular format.  Walking from one point to another on this platform, visitors can see vividly below almost all the terracotta figures.   A huge convex roof covers the whole area protecting it from direct sun and rain and has provision for natural ventilation.

The clay figures are in formal attire representing all ranks of the army – officers, armed warriors and ordinary soldiers.   They are arrayed in battle formation.   The army men are in trench-like corridors, followed by horses and then wooden chariots.

Another set of exhibits

Different facial expressions

It is mind-boggling to notice that each statue sports a different facial expression and is in a different posture.   What an amount of planning and effort should have gone into the making of these figures!

In 1980 another significant dig revealed two sets of painted bronze chariots and four horses – “the most delicate, the largest and oldest bronzes of their kind in China.”  They have been housed in an exhibition hall.   In another room are displayed a wide variety of weapons and other artifacts found during the excavations. 

Though the terracotta treasures are treated as an adjunct to Qin’s huge underground mausoleum, it is interesting to note that only preliminary excavations have been made on the mausoleum proper.  It covers a huge area with subterranean palaces, the emperor’s secret tomb in an inner sanctuary, towers, priceless golden articles, gem-studded jewellery and a host of other exquisite funeral objects.  When the work is complete, archaeologists believe, it would be the most wonderful discovery in the history of mankind. 

International experts view that what has been discovered so far at Xian is “historically as important as the Pyramids of Egypt.….”   UNESCO, while granting the tag of World Heritage Site in 1987, described the exposed terracotta figures as “masterpieces of realism.”

                                                            ***