The Terra-cotta Warriors and horses formation is an auxiliary burial site of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. It is about 40 kilometers away from the downtown area of Xian, at east side outskirts of the city, discovered accidentally in 1974, by local farmers who dug the well. This incredible army formation contains more than 8000 soldiers, archers, horses and chariots, guarding emperor Qin's tomb in full battle formation since 210 BC. Each figure is unique ,even today the excavation still continue in 3 pits which are protected by huge arch-shape hangar.
In 1987, The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor was inscribed to the list of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
With the burial of the terra-cotta warriors and horses, it was believed that the Emperor would still have troops at his command. The Terracotta Warriors was buried in battle formation in many vaults, 1.5 kilometres east of the tomb of the Emperor. Three vaults, measuring about 4-8 metres deep, have been excavated and a museum set up on the ruins, now called Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum. Vault One, the largest one, was opened to the public in 1979, and the whole museum was completed in 1994. There is a fourth vault which was found empty.
The figures were painted before being placed into the vault. The original colors were visible when the pieces were first unearthed. However exposure to air caused the pigments to fade so today the unearthed figures appear terracotta in color.
The figures are in several poses including standing infantry and kneeling archers as well as charioteers with horses. Each figure's head appears to be unique showing a variety of facial features and expressions as well as hair styles.
In 1980 two painted bronze chariots were discovered 20 metres west of the tomb of the Emperor. Consisting of 3000 parts, each of the chariots is driven by an imperial charioteer and drawn by 4 horses. According to the Han Dynasty scholar Cai Yong, the first chariot was for clearing the road for the Emperor's entourage, and the second was his sleeping chariot. The bridles and saddles of the horses are inlaid with gold and silver designs and the body of the number 2 chariot has its sliding windows hollow cut. Both are half life size and are now displayed in a large exhibition hall with other artifacts found within the Mausoleum.
