The Terracotta Army
Above shows a picture of the Terracotta Army
This is a small part of the tomb of the Emperor Qin Shihuang of the Qin dynasty who died in 210 BC. There are more than 6000 life-size figures and horses made of terra-cotta. The figures were modeled after the emperor’s real army, and each face is different. They were supposed to guard the crypt and protect their ruler on his afterlife journey.
The political breakdown of the late Eastern Chou empire ended with a consolidation of power under the Qin emperor Qin Shihuang. It is from this ruler's household that the name China is derived. When this powerful ruler died, he was entombed in a massive burial mound in the northwestern province of Shanxi (Shansi). This royal grave came to light only recently, revealing more than 6000 terra-cotta human figures and horses intended to protect the emperor's crypt. The figures were carefully fashioned to resemble one of his real infantries, with well-outfitted officers, charioteers, and archers, as well as youthful foot soldiers. Now faded with the passage of time, the army was originally painted in a wide variety of bright colors. Although human sacrifice, a practice associated with Shang burials, had long been abandoned, the desire to have protection on the journey after death remained an important element in burial practice.
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