Despite 50 years of excavations, archaeologists continue to uncover surprises about the Terracotta Army.
Researchers discovered a richly adorned figure in the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang in China’s Shaanxi province, where the famous Terracotta Army was first excavated half a century ago. Among the 2,000 figures unearthed so far, only 10 statues of high-ranking officers have been found. Therefore, this recent discovery is considered rare by archaeologists.
This massive clay army, dating back to the 3rd century BCE, was meant to guard the deceased emperor. The life-sized clay figures have provided scholars with a new perspective on the organization and structure of the Chinese army over 2,000 years ago.
What Did the Scientists Discover?
Unlike the regular soldiers, the general was elaborately decorated, as reported by Live Science. Archaeologist Janice Lee from the University of Oxford noted, “These decorations on high-ranking officers indicated how special they were. The style and color of the adornments reflected their aesthetic taste and social status.”
The statue was excavated alongside the remains of two chariots, three clay horses, and two warrior figurines, shedding new light on the organizational structure of the ancient army.
“The positioning of senior officers in formation reflected military strategy, such as the command system during the Qin dynasty,” explained Ms. Lee.
What Else Should You Know About the Terracotta Army?
The Terracotta Army was discovered in 1974 during the construction of a well in northwestern China. It has become one of the largest archaeological finds of modern times.
The army, consisting of thousands of life-sized clay figures, is arranged in three pits. Over the past 50 years of excavations, archaeologists have uncovered around 2,000 terracotta warriors, although experts believe there may be as many as 8,000 in total.
The figures were buried with crossbows, spears, and swords. Scholars believe these warriors were created to protect the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang (259-210 BCE), in the afterlife.
The general’s statue was found in Pit No. 2, which is thought to be dedicated to cavalry.
Military officers are distinguished by their headgear and colorful, intricate armor. Their shoulder guards and armor are adorned with ribbons.
While half a century of excavating the Terracotta Army has yielded numerous discoveries, many questions remain for scholars. “The main question is, who is the chief general that commanded the entire army?” asked Ms. Lee.