In 1974, a worker was digging a well
outside Xi’an, China. Suddenly, he
made one of the world’s greatest
archaeological discoveries. He
unearthed a life-size clay soldier.
When archaeologists arrived at the
site, they found thousands of clay
soldiers. An entire army of life-size
terracotta soldiers and horses had
been buried for more than 2,000
years.
The clay soldiers became known
as the Terracotta Army. They were
located near the unexcavated tomb
of Qin Shi Huangdi. The first emperor
of China, Qin ruled from 221 BCE
to 210 BCE. Archaeologists believe
that the clay soldiers were created to
accompany him into the afterlife. Qin
wanted to have the same military
power there as he enjoyed during his
lifetime. The army showed his glory
and stood for the army he led to
unite China.
More than 700,000 artisans and
workers created the Terracotta Army
Each terracotta
warrior has its own
facial expression.
Terracotta Army Protects
a Chinese Emperor
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