The Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huangdi / Photo from Fraggle Rockstar
The tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of China is loaded with historical significances. This mausoleum, which is seen as the epitome of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi’s boundless power and prestige is located 30 km to the outside of X’ian in the Shensi province of China. Qin Shi Huangdi was the only ruler who single-handedly unified the seven warring clans of the China of 221 BCE and commanded massive construction of several public infrastructures as well as the legendary Great Wall of China.
Generales de Qin Shi Huang / Photo from Lezama
The emperor left a written record of his military and diplomatic feats in a series of tablets. He successfully abolished feudalism, promoted religion and divided China into 36 states for an efficient administration. Among the other significant achievements of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi was the standardization of various systems of writing, weights and measures, currencies and the simplification of the record-keeping methods. Despite these progressive works, Qin Shi Huangdi was despotic and tyrannical in his rule.
Some of the 7000 Warriors, discovered in 1974. They are guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi near Xi’an, Central China.
Known as the “Terra-cotta Army”, the Warriors are now considered the 8th Wonder of the World / Photo from Heaven’s Gate (John)
Interestingly, this great builder ordered the erection of his burial chamber right after his ascension to the throne in 246 BCE when he was just a boy of thirteen! Going by the records about his personal traits, it was rather a contradictory step for Qin Shi Huangdi to take because of his search for an immortality formula to help him eternalize his ‘divine rule’. However, the work completed 36 years after it was started and Qin Shi Huangdi died soon after in 210 BCE to be buried in it.
Tomb Warriors exhibit in Epcot’s China Pavillion. / Photo from Damgaard
The discovery of this archeological treasure happened in 1974, when a team of Chinese peasants abruptly came across the tomb while trying to drill a well. What was most striking about this mausoleum was its huge size and the remarkable artworks stored in it. This includes the 8000 life-size army consisting of terracotta statues of men and horses. Because each statue was individually built with 3-inch thick terra-cotta clay, you can distinguish each soldier and horse from another in their unique looks, weaponry and dressing.
Terracotta Warriors / Photo from One Daring Armadillo
The warriors are positioned according to the ranks they held in the contemporary time. The different sections of the 8000 troops are distributed in three separate chambers. The first and the largest chamber contains the troop of active duty officers, the second chamber is where the reserves are placed while the third small chamber houses 68 elite commanders and officers. All the soldiers face east to protect the afterlife of Qin Shi Huangdi from possible enemy attacks coming from that direction.
Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses – Xian, China. / Photo from Purple Cloud
The mystery of this tomb lies in the fact that the three-chamber terracotta soldier complex forms only 1% of the total mausoleum area. The central section of the 90-feet tall mausoleum building beneath an earthen pyramid is still unexcavated. According to the accounts of Chinese historians and popular legends, this part is mapped as a city, with walls, palaces and cemetery and meant for the use of Qin Shi Huangdi in his luxurious afterlife. The rivers and water bodies are sketched with flowing mercury while the sky is represented by constellations of pearls.
Photo from Kiwi Mikex
The underground palace is arguably the most elaborate structure in its grandeur and amenities. It could be an abode of long-buried treasures like precious gems, metals and other wealth. This intricate bronze-lined, waterproof construction extending over four square miles took the labor of 700,000 prisoners of war and slaves for its completion after which they were killed to stop them from divulging the tomb’s secret. To make Qin Shi Huangdi’s second life as pompous as his life on earth, his mistresses were buried alive in this tomb as well.
Life after death / Photo from Mernas
Even today the excitement over the mysterious secrets of this sophisticated necropolis has not stopped drawing groups of tourists and intellectuals from the world over. As a tourist, you can freely take a tour to the spot although all the details of its excavations are strictly under Chinese authorities. They are still to dig out treasures and valuables from the womb of Qin Shi Huangdi’s mausoleum. Only when the tomb is opened up completely, the myriad marvelous accounts it has commanded will meet the light of truth.
Xi’an – Terracota Warriors / Photo from mseguias
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19 Comments, Comment or Ping
By Atniz posted on Apr 8th, 2009
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It looks like a factory down there. Almost reflecting the Mummy 3 story here.
By Odzyskiwanie Danych posted on Apr 17th, 2009
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I'm still waiting for Qin Shi Huang's tomb excavation. It's a large "sand" pyramid not far away from terracota soldiers. wonder how many tresure could be out there.
By Bento posted on Apr 25th, 2009
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Agree. But it's real! Impressed
By Pua Lingo posted on Apr 28th, 2009
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Hope to visit there some day!
By Tkaniny Obiciowe posted on May 7th, 2009
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The only thing I always wonder when looking at those Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses is how much trouble would a guy who'd accidentaly break them all be in. I mean imagin walking inside, tripping and accidentaly destroying all of this (they'd probably fall like domino).
By NelleBish(: posted on May 10th, 2009
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Doing My Project On Shihunagdi And My Model On His Tomb (:
Wish Meh Luck & A Good Grade
By Sen Yang posted on May 31st, 2009
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amazing! i hope when they uncover the palace, i'm here to see it!
By JAY posted on Jun 11th, 2009
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i am doing my report on shi huangdi's buried soldiers wish me a good grade:)
By amber posted on Jun 11th, 2009
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^_^me and my bffl r like doing a big project on shi huangdi's life! LOL! : ]
By Reminder posted on Jul 26th, 2009
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A magnetic scan of the site has revealed that a large number of coins are lying in the unopened tomb, occasioning speculation that the royal treasury was interred with the emperor. Scans of the earth atop the tomb have revealed unusually high concentrations of mercury in the shape of China's waters, adding further to the credibility of Sima Qian's description.
By juicyjewelrysale posted on Jul 28th, 2009
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By NJ Injury Lawyer posted on Aug 14th, 2009
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@Tkaniny There's a glass-floored platform where you can walk along to look at the mausoleum beneath you. There's restricted access so you really can't go into the place and just walk around.
I went there this past summer and it's interesting to note that there are literally thousands of terra cotta soldiers still unearthed. The ones you see are merely the ones that archaeologists have dusted off and recreated.
By cheap nfl jerseys posted on Sep 7th, 2009
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THats a miracle~~~~~~~~~~~~~
By jonatan posted on Sep 16th, 2009
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Woow! good pics!
By Markus posted on Sep 16th, 2009
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so beautiful!
By godaddy coupons posted on Oct 4th, 2009
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These warriors along with the great wall of china are truly an amazing feat
By Jogos posted on Oct 8th, 2009
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Great pics!!!
By boxer training posted on Oct 8th, 2009
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This is from that movie right? i forget the name.. natinal treasure 2 or something right?
By Esther posted on Nov 19th, 2009
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This is really amazing. looking like a shooting set
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