Though terracotta warriors of Xian district in China are one of the most significant archaeological excavations of the twentieth century. It is believed that Qin Shihuangdi (221-207 BC), considered the first emperor of China, ordered the creation of around 7000 life-size clay soldiers in 201 BC to guard his tomb for eternity. The emperor is believed to have unified China during his reign and hence, this army is also considered to be a commemoration of his victories.
The sculptures were discovered by a group of farmers in 1974 to the east of Xi’an in the Shaanxi province. While digging a well, the workers found three pits filled with the lifelike figures, which were made of a type of terracotta clay. Experts say that long ago, Emperor Shihuangdi ordered the creation of the clay army, along with a 20-square-mile tomb to house it. Apart from life-size statues of soldiers and horses, weapons which were found such as swords, spears, battle-axes, shields, crossbows, and arrowheads were found to be sharp, coated with chromium oxide which made them resistant to rust and corrosion even after being buried for more than 2000 years.
Shen Maosheng, from the Qin Shihuang Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, said that archaeologists had located another 11 warriors but had not yet begun to excavate or dig up the sculptures.
Today, people from around the world visit China to see these terracotta warriors each of whose figures is individually carved. They have different hairstyles, expressions, and facial features. Inside the pit, the statues are arranged by military rank which means that the higher the rank, the taller is the statue. As the lower half of each soldier is made of solid clay with the upper half being hollow, the figures remain upright.
The discovery of the terracotta army is significant as it helps us to understand the economic and social history of that period along with the military hierarchy that existed during that time.
que from passage
1. Who created the terracotta warriors and why?
2. Who discovered the Terracotta sculptures?
3. What was Shen Maosheng's claim?
4. What was discovered by the workers in the pits?
5. Describe the terracotta statues.
Answers
Answer:
2 The sculptures were discovered by a group of farmers in 1974 to the east of Xi’an in the Shaanxi province
Answer:
1. Qin Shihuangdi, the first emperor of China, ordered to make terracotta warriors for guarding his tomb for eternity.
2. The sculptures were discovered by a group of farmers in 1974 to the east of Xi’an in the Shaanxi province.
3. Shen Maosheng claimed that archaeologists had located another 11 warriors.
4. Inside the pit, the statues are arranged by military rank which means that the higher the rank, the taller is the statue.
5. Terracotta statues have different hairstyles, expressions, and facial features.
Explanation:
1. In 201 BC, Qin Shihuangdi (221-207 BC), China's first emperor, is said to have ordered the production of 7000 life-size clay warriors to guard his tomb for all eternity. This army is also thought to be a commemoration of the emperor's victories, as he is said to have unified China throughout his reign.
2. A group of farmers discovered the statues in 1974 in the Shaanxi province, east of Xi'an. The workers discovered three trenches filled with lifelike creatures, which were constructed of a form of terracotta clay while digging a well. According to experts, Emperor Shihuangdi ordered the production of the clay army, as well as a 20-square-mile mausoleum to store it, a long time ago.
3. Archaeologists have discovered another 11 warriors, according to Shen Maosheng of the Qin Shihuang Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, but have not yet proceeded to excavate or dig up the sculptures.
4. The sculptures are situated inside the pit according to military rank, with the greater the rank, the taller the statue. The figures stay upright because the lower half of each soldier is solid clay and the upper half is hollow.
5. Terracotta warriors have various hairstyles, facial characteristics, and expressions. Aside from life-size statues of soldiers and horses, swords, spears, battle-axes, shields, crossbows, and arrowheads were discovered to be sharp and coated with chromium oxide, making them resistant to rust and corrosion even after being buried for almost 2000 years.