Posted by Beverly Felix
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Terracotta Warriors in Pits
Image Courtesy of Alan J. Stone |
Pit 1 - The Infantry
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Terracotta Kneeling Archer
Image Courtesy of Alan J. Stone |
Pit 1, accidentally discovered by the workers in 1974, is the largest of the pits. Rectangular in shape, it measures approximately 150,000 square feet, or almost the size of three football fields. This section has the majority of the army--the infantry--containing bowmen and crossbowmen.
In battle formation, rows of unarmored standing archers holding crossbows make up the front line. Behind them are armored kneeling archers. Between the armored archers are war chariots with horses.
Author and Archaeologist Yuan Zhongyi informs us that one line of warriors firing, together with another line kneeling to reload, create a fast moving vanguard and a steady stream of potent fire.
Pit 2 - The Calvary
Archaeologists discovered Pit 2 in 1976 slightly north of Pit 1. It is L-shaped and half the size of the first pit. This section is the calvary comprised of largely archers carrying crossbows. Saddled horses with riders carrying bows and melee weapons are also a part of this group.
As in Pit 1, the unarmored warriors in the front rows are standing; the warriors behind them are kneeling.
The main force of this section is composed of eighty war chariots whose purpose is to overwhelm the enemy. Almost all of the chariots have two warriors and a charioteer--except for six chariots that each have a warrior, a charioteer, and an officer.
Pit 3 - The Command Post
Pit 3, located east of Pit 2, was also discovered by archaeologists in 1976.
Smaller than the other two and U-shaped, it is the command post. Inside this section are sixty-eight warriors, some of which stand in a face-to-face formation near high-ranking officers as if to protect them. There are also nine armored generals and a grand chariot with horses. Researchers believe that the grand chariot may have been for the commander of the army.
The generals of this group wear bright colored scarves, tassels tied to their armors, different headgear, and complex hairstyles. They carry no weapons, ride in chariots, and beat out signal codes on large drums to the warriors.
The Mausoleum and the Burial Chamber
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Burial Mound for First Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi
Image Credit: By Wit cc |
Many archaeologists presume that the terracotta army is outside of the mausoleum to stop intruders from invading the tomb of the First Emperor. After all, it holds everything the First Emperor wants in the afterlife.
The mausoleum or tomb complex, which is a tall four-sided pyramid with three stepped levels, lies deep under a mound covered with dirt, trees, and bushes. Because soil samples on the mound indicate high levels of mercury, no excavations have been done on the tomb to date. For the past four decades, all excavations have been performed in various sites around Mount Li.
However, due to ground penetrating radar, knowledge acquired through excavation findings and ancient writings, the following is what experts think is inside the tomb complex and the First Emperor's burial chamber.
Inside the Underground City
Sitting on a 22 square mile area, the tomb complex is enclosed by thick double walls that are 13 feet high. Inside the complex are a palace with courtyard buildings, artifacts, jewels, coins, and numerous burial places.
In the center of the palace is the burial chamber for the First Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi.
Ancient writings inform us that the First Emperor's chamber is made of bronze and is the size of a football field. Within the chamber is his bronze coffin surrounded by liquid mercury. Above the coffin on the ceiling are pearl stars in the night sky. On the floor is a map of China with sculpted mountains, plains, mercury rivers, and mercury seas.
Moreover, candles of whale oil burn for 24 hours to illuminate the elaborate resting place.
The First Emperor's Last Wishes
Like many ancient burial procedures, the First Emperor did not go in the afterlife alone. Treasures, artifacts, chariots, and horses were interred with the deceased. This was common practice. But for the first time in Chinese history, there was a new addition to the list--human victims.
According to Historian Sima Qian, a large number of human victims were buried with the First Emperor to either protect a secret or to accompany him. Craftsmen, construction workers, construction supervisors, high officials, rich individuals, and concubines were forced into the tomb. Anyone who had knowledge of the tomb's construction, location, or contents was buried alive.
And to further protect his interest, the First Emperor ordered hidden crossbows to automatically strike down anyone who entered the tomb.
China's Controversial Yet Pivotal Figure
The First Emperor will always be remembered as a controversial, tyrannical figure. His harsh, unpopular decisions cannot be overlooked.
But First Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi was also the man who unified and created China. The man who caused incredible growth and positive significant changes. The man who accomplished more for China than any other emperor in Chinese history.
Works Cited
Clements, Jonathan. The First Emperor of China. United Kingdom: Sutton
Publishing Limited, 2006, 162-167.
Jarus, Owen. "Terracotta Warriors: An Army for the Afterlife." 13 Dec. 2012.
http://www.livescience.com/25510-terracotta-warriors.html
Retrieved 13 Aug. 2014.
Lofthouse, Lloyd. "Qin Shi Huangdi - The Man who unified China." 12 June
2011.
http://ilookchina.net/tag/qin-shi-huangdi/
Retrieved 1 Aug. 2014.
Moskowitz, Clara. "The Secret Tomb of China's 1st Emperor: Will We Ever See
Inside?" 17 Aug. 2012.
http://www.livescience.com/22454-ancient-chinese-tomb-terracotta-
warriors.html
Retrieved 4 Aug. 2014.
Woods, Frances. China's First Emperor and His Terracotta Warriors. New York:
St. Martin's Press, 2007, 20-132.
Zhongyi, Yuan. China's Terracotta Army and the First Emperor's Mausoleum.
New Jersey: Homa & Sekey Books, 2011.
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