/tags/xian-terra-cotta-warrior.rss en-us Traverse to the time of Xiang’s Terracotta Warriors and roam amongst over 8,099 life sized sculptures of Chinese soldiers, horses, acrobats and other figures. Discovered unexpectedly in 1974 by farmers near Xi’an, Shaanxi province, they unearthed a clay head, unusual for a normal day of farming work. Unaware of the magnitude of this discovery until archeologists began excavation, they later ascertained that these statues were created by China’s first emperor Qin Shihuang, who instructed their creation to ensure the safe keeping of his remains after his death. Each statue of the Terra Cotta Warriors is unique, no two are exactly alike, and range in size from 6ft – 6ft 5inches. These elaborate works are estimated to have taken 11 years to complete. The details on each reflect their roles in the army with generals being the tallest and intricacies such as uniform colours painted to reflect individual ranks and roles. One of the most eloquent memorials in history, this brilliant mausoleum still preserves the rich cultural past of the Qin Dynasty through the eyes of thousands of soldiers. Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:14:00 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/terra-cotta-warriors http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/terra-cotta-warriors