Wild Warriors – The Terracotta Army

​No two are alike—whether it’s the beard, braids, face, or ears, none are the same. And this is with 7-8,000 warriors. But even back then, mass production was the order of the day. They cast the basic figure using only 8-10 base molds, and then the artists added the individual faces.

Yearly salary as a reward

​The farmer Yang Zhifa accidentally discovered some pottery shards and bronze pieces in 1974 while drilling a well. Remarkably: he reported the find, not yet knowing he had made one of the most fascinating archaeological discoveries. As a reward, he received a year’s salary (300 Yuan).

​The area is huge, and so the farmers had to move and all received new apartments. Yang Zhifa became a celebrity, got a position at the museum, signed books for tourists, and as the “discoverer,” he even got to greet dignitaries like Bill Clinton.

You are not alone

​The daily visitor count is limited to 65,000 to protect the area. It is therefore absolutely essential to book tickets (15 €/person) in advance. We also left very early to avoid queues, and as a foreign tourist, you are often allowed to enter at a separate counter.

Clay instaed of human sacrifice

It is the burial site of the first emperor, “Qin Shi Huangdi,” who commissioned the Terracotta Army to end the human sacrifices that were customary as grave goods during that epoch (around 200 B.C.). A more humane idea.

The BIG Secret

The unusual thing: the tomb itself has not yet been opened, even after 50 years. Why is that? Well, according to the stories, there is supposed to be a mercury lake inside the tomb, and there are concerns that opening it might damage the original condition. They are waiting for new and better methods for opening the tomb. Very wise.

​You should also know that the Terracotta Warriors were all painted very brightly, but when they were brushed free, the paint reacted with oxygen within a short time, and the 2,000-year-old colors disappeared.