Here is a monument that is truly one of a kind. The Qin Emperor’s Mausoleum, world-renowned for its Terracotta Army with thousands of statues, represents a significant piece of Chinese history and showcases the incredible artistic talent of humanity from over two centuries before Christ. Discover the magnificent Mausoleum of the Qin Emperor, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Qin Emperor’s Mausoleum is located near the city of Xi’an (in central-eastern China), the former capital of the Chinese Empire under the Qin Dynasty. The mausoleum was erected in honor of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the unifier of China and its first emperor. Qin Shi Huang is also known for initiating the construction of the Great Wall of China.
The mausoleum was only discovered in 1974, when local farmers were digging a well. Not far from the mausoleum, the emperor’s tomb has also been discovered but remains unexcavated. The mausoleum consists of thousands of statues (over 8,000 found) of soldiers, along with horses, weapons, and chariots, all of which are unique! Construction of the monument began in 246 B.C. and was completed 30 years later, in 210 B.C., involving thousands of workers from across the empire.
The mausoleum is covered by a 50-meter-high tumulus (a mound covering the tomb) and contains nearly 200 pits where all the soldiers of the “buried army” are placed. The soldiers and horses are made of terracotta, while the accessories (weapons and chariots) are made of bronze.
The tomb of the first Chinese emperor also holds great symbolic value, as it represents the birth of a powerful empire in the 3rd century B.C., led and unified by Qin Shi Huang, who heralded unprecedented progress in the social, cultural, artistic, and military spheres of the empire. The vast number of statues, along with the precision and detail applied to each one, demonstrate extraordinary artistic talent and mark an important milestone before the rise of future dynasties. The “buried army” also provides valuable insight into the military organization of the Chinese Empire in the 3rd century B.C.
The discovery of weapons, the craftsmanship involved, and the detailed sculptures of armor, weapons, uniforms, and horse harnesses offer critical historical information to help us understand China’s history. The mausoleum is the best-preserved and largest of its kind in China.
The site is protected by numerous Chinese laws and conservation organizations. Excavations continue to unearth new statues and analyze them to further reconstruct China’s history. The Emperor’s tomb has yet to be excavated, meaning the site still holds many secrets! The Qin Emperor’s Mausoleum is a unique monument that promises visitors a wealth of sensations. Centuries of history can be read in the eyes of each statue, bearing witness to the greatness of an empire and the immeasurable artistic talent that went into creating such masterpieces with limited materials and advanced techniques, over two millennia ago.
Article updated on 18 October 2024
