The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Work is ongoing at this site, which is around 1.5 kilometers east of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum, Lintong County, Shaanxi province. It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China.
Upon ascending the throne at the age of 13 (in 246 BC), Qin Shi Huang, later the first Emperor of all China, had begun to work for his mausoleum. It took 11 years to finish. It is speculated that many buried treasures and sacrificial objects had accompanied the emperor in his after life. A group of peasants uncovered some pottery while digging for a well nearby the royal tomb in 1974. It caught the attention of archeologists immediately. They came to Xian in droves to study and to extend the digs. They had established beyond doubt that these artifacts were associated with the Qin Dynasty (211-206 BC).
The State Council authorized to build a museum on site in 1975. When completed, people from far and near came to visit. Xian and the Museum of Qin Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses have become landmarks on all travelers' itinerary.
Life size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations are the star features at the museum. They are replicas of what the imperial guard should look like in those days of pomp and vigor.
The museum covers an area of 16,300 square meters, divided into three sections: No. 1 Pit, No. 2 Pit, and No. 3 Pit respectively. They were tagged in the order of their discoveries. No. 1 Pit is the largest, first opened to the public on China's National Day, 1979. There are columns of soldiers at the front, followed by war chariots at the back.
No. 2 Pit, found in 1976, is 20 meters northeast of No. 1 Pit. It contained over a thousand warriors and 90 chariots of wood. It was unveiled to the public in 1994.Archeologists came upon No. 3 Pit also in 1976, 25 meters northwest of No. 1 Pit. It looked like to be the command center of the armed forces. It went on display in 1989, with 68 warriors, a war chariot and four horses.
Altogether over 7,000 pottery soldiers, horses, chariots, and even weapons have been unearthed from these pits. Most of them have been restored to their former grandeur.
The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses is a sensational archeological find of all times. It has put Xian on the map for tourists. It was listed by UNESCO in 1987 as one of the world cultural heritages.

The terra cotta soldiers are remarkably realistic sculptures. The figures are mostly 1.8 meters (5 feet 11 inches) in height, the lower part of the body being solid and the upper part hollow. Originally the figures were painted in bright colors however, over the two thousand years they have silently stood guard, the color has faded and worn off. The squarish faces of the warriors feature broad foreheads and wide, thick-lipped mouths. Their eyes focus on the far distance and some bear an ornate hairstyle. The muscular horses have big bright eyes, large nostrils, stout legs and plump waists and hips and are poised ready to gallop.

Materials: An abundance of clay and especially large deposits of ochre-colored loess in Northern China, which the Chinese refer to as 'yellow earth' proved to be a suitable material due to its plasticity and adhesive quality. Clay of this type was produced in the area near Mount Lishan where the Qin Mausoleum was constructed. A group of kilns were established around the mausoleum in Shangjiao Village, Yuchi Village and Chengou Village.
Figure Creation:The clay was firstly panned and crushed into a malleable form is suitable for molding. The mould was started from the bottom of the body. The feet of the warrior were formed on a square base, and legs were then added. When half-dry, clay was coiled into 3 to 5 cm ropes wound upwards to create the hollow upper body. This was carefully smoothed using a paddle on the exterior pressing against an anvil or block on the inside wall. Next, the half finished head and hands were pasted onto the body. The structure of the base prevented the figure from collapsing. Fashioning heads represented a complicated process. Facial features were achieved using a mould, with piling and sculpting to form the back. Ears were pasted to the heads prior to adding sculpted or molded hair buns.

Most chariots found in Pit 1 are considered to have been command carts from which generals had commanded troops.
Armored general unearthed in the Pit 1, standing some 197 cm in height. Generals wore two layers of robes covered by colored plate armor. This armor consisted of three parts: the 96.5 cm long front section covered the chest and abdomen, the 61 cm long rear portion protected the back and the waist with a small cape fashioned from 160 copper plates. The edge was decorated with geometrical floral motif. A general stands upright with his hands seemly resting on the sword handle. He wore a brown cap and upward curving shoes. His fearless and intrepid expression reflects his authority and experience.

Armored soldiers unearthed in Pit 1, stand 189 cm in height and would each have had a sword in his left hand. They were heavily armored with a brown cape and a red cap and green shin guards. War chariots A two wheeled chariot with a round canopy, 1.2 meters in length and 1.3 meters in width, is pulled by four pottery horses flanked by two spear men with a central charioteer. The horses measure 1.5 meters (4 feet 11 inches) in height and 2 meters (6 feet 7 inches) in length. The charioteer wears a long robe under armor that protects his chest, back and shoulders. His arm extends forward as if he is holding reins.Tunic infantryman unearthed in Pit 1 wear a knee-length tunic, short trousers, puttees and curved shoes and would carried crossbows in their hands. Their hair is wound in topknots while some have beards. The clothes were designed to allow freedom of movement.
Saddled steed stands 172 cm in height and 203 cm in length with a halter. Red, blue or brown saddle sits atop a shabrack, secured to the horse back with a single girth.
Chariot horses unearthed in the Pit 1, Pit 2 and Pit 3, the chariot teams feature strong limbs, large heads, protruding noses, short necks and wide shoulders.
Kneeling archers unearthed in the Pit 2, kneel on their right knees and would have held a crossbow against the right hip to keep it steady prior to firing. There have been 160 archers unearthed in Pit 2.
The standing archers stand with the left foot forward, leg slightly bent and the right leg straight. Their left arm stretches to the front while the right arm is held back to the chest. This is a position from which they are primed for an assault on the enemy.
Cavalryman: Found in Pit 2, the figure, some 180 cm in height, wears a narrow-sleeved knee-length jerkin under body armor, narrow trousers, boots, and a round cap. He holds his horse's reins in his right hand and a crossbow in the left. These horsemen were thought to serve as messengers during a battle.

Every single terra cotta warrior has his own characteristic: exquisite lines of the uniform and natural facial expression.