Terracotta warriors China. Mysteries of the Terracotta Army of the Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang

A special stamp was placed on each part, which showed which workshop made it. If a marriage came across, it was immediately clear who was to blame and who to punish. Considering the temperament of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, most likely, the first defective part was for the master and the last.

You can see all this with your own eyes if you visit this burial complex in the city of Xi'an.

Terracotta soldiers weapons

Although the soldiers were made of clay, they were given real weapons in their hands. Unfortunately, few weapons have survived. Firstly, the burial complex was robbed several times. Secondly, metal remains much worse than ceramics, and many items are completely rotted.

But even a small number of weapons gave scientists many reasons to be surprised. For example, arrowheads made in different parts China, were almost the same size. That is, already in the 3rd century BC. the Chinese introduced unification in the production of weapons. It's amazing.

Thanks to the Terracotta Army, we now have a very good idea of ​​how the soldiers of that time were equipped, with what weapons they fought, how they were built on the battlefield and what tactics they followed.

Where to see the Terracotta Army

Almost all of the soldiers are where they were unearthed by archaeologists. The archaeological site is located 10 kilometers from the city of Xian. This is enough Big City with a population of 8.5 million people. You can come here from Russia, but only from Moscow. There are quite a few tourists who choose Xi'an as the main travel destination, although the city has many attractions.

If desired, you can get here from on. You will cover a distance of 1200 kilometers in 6 hours. Some even try to look at the Terracotta Army “one day”, that is, arrive in the morning “speed bike” and leave in the evening.

We do not recommend this method. The first high-speed train (pictured left) arrives from Beijing to Xi'an Station at 13:00, and the last one leaves from here at 18:00. You will have only 5 hours, and this will only be enough to look at the Terracotta Army "with one eye".

In addition, this is an expensive way to travel, as a one-way ticket costs 500 (at the time of writing, May 2015). In both directions, it turns out about 1000 yuan per person.

Tickets for a regular train in a compartment are half the price, but you will spend 14 hours on the train one way, for a total of 28 hours. Such a waste of time is unacceptable for many tourists.

There is the most budget way is to buy seats on a regular train. If you are not afraid to sit in an uncomfortable chair for 14 hours, then such a ticket will cost you only 150 yuan one way.

We think it's worth flying to Xi'an as your main travel destination. The city is beautiful, you won't regret it. And see the Terracotta Army slowly, and you will see the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, and many other interesting things.

If you don't want to go to Xi'an, but really want to see the Terracotta Army, then there is a compromise solution. These clay soldiers can be seen in the museums of the country. On a permanent basis, they are exhibited in Beijing on.

The founder of the Qin dynasty, who completed the construction of the Great Wall of China, was preparing for death ahead of time: he built a huge tomb for himself, and several “smaller” crypts for servants and warriors. Together with the emperor, 70 thousand workers were buried, along with their families. But the emperor did not kill the warriors. Instead, he ordered artisans to create an army of terracotta, each warrior of which would have a real person as a prototype.

Despite the fact that Chinese historians are very careful about their cultural heritage, the terracotta army has somehow been forgotten. Its discovery turned out to be an accident - in the summer of 1974, in the province of Shaanxi, while digging a well, at a depth of 5 meters, a Chinese peasant stumbled upon one of the clay warriors. The find immediately aroused unprecedented interest among archaeologists, because appearance of the statue made it possible to attribute the date of its creation to the period of deep antiquity. By the beginning of the autumn of that year, archaeologists had discovered about 6,000 such warriors. The analysis showed that the time of the creation of the statues coincides with the years of the life of Qin Shi Huang, whose tomb, Mount Lishan, was located near the place of "burial" terracotta warriors.

The work of Sima Qian, a hereditary historiographer of the Han Dynasty, who described the ascension to the throne in 246 BC, also helped to correlate the clay army with the founder of the Qin dynasty. e. 13-year-old Ying Zheng, known to us as Qin Shi Huang. According to the historiographer, the young ruler immediately began building his own tomb and ordered the creation of an army of clay warriors who would serve him after death.

All statues are copies of real people, retaining their facial features, uniforms, ranks, etc. The only thing that the sculptors changed was the height of the warriors, making them slightly taller than the real prototypes. The height of the statues of ordinary soldiers is approximately 180 cm, and of officers - up to 2 m, which expresses their superiority in rank. Archers, spearmen, swordsmen and even cavalry - Qin Shi Huang gathered a full-fledged army, which completely copied the real-life military formations. Commanders of all ranks, up to generals, also followed their emperor to the "other world", in the form of clay sculptures. "Civilian" statues were also found - musicians, acrobats and officials.

The vast majority of the statues were facing east. Some stand relaxed, others kneel down and, drawing their swords from their sheaths, repulse the attack. The difference in status can be determined by clothing. The officers are dressed in tunics with belts and suits similar to uniforms. Ordinary soldiers are dressed in short trousers, narrowed at the bottom, short robes, chest armor. Their shoes are common among the ancient Chinese: windings and shoes with rectangular toes. Even privates distinguish characteristic hairstyles in the form of a tight bun of hair.

The main excavations were carried out in two stages: from 1978 to 1984 and from 1985 to 1986. And in 2009, the third stage of excavations began, which continue to this day. Recent excavations have uncovered another 500 clay warriors, 100 horses and 18 bronze chariots. How much remains to be discovered is a question that remains unanswered. But why was the emperor's tomb in such a deplorable state?

After the death of Qin Shi Huang, the throne was inherited by his son, Er Shi Huang, who was weak-willed and weak. As a result of his failure as a leader, a popular uprising broke out. And the first target of the rebels was the terracotta army. The reason for this was that the cunning Ying Zheng melted down all the surplus weapons, so that simple people couldn't get it anywhere. And in the crypt, for the needs of clay warriors, an arsenal for 8,000 people was stored: swords, shields, spears and bows. As a result, the tomb was plundered, the imperial troops were defeated, and Er was killed. But the emperor’s treasures, which, according to legend, were buried with him, were never found. According to one version, the emperor was buried in a different place, and Mount Lishan is just a decoration.

In 1987, UNESCO listed the Terracotta Army as a World Heritage Site in China. Today, everyone has the opportunity to look at the terracotta warriors "live". A small town has grown up around the excavation area with cafes, souvenir shops and covered pavilions, where the terracotta army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang is put on public display.

The ancient Chinese civilization has given the world many masterpieces of architecture and outstanding works of art. Some of them are classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of these great works Chinese culture is famous Terracotta Army, striking in its scale and unique technique of execution.

The Terracotta Army is a sculpture of warriors, horses and several chariots discovered in 1974 east of Mount Lishan in the Chinese city of Xi'an. Locals were drilling an artesian well and accidentally made an amazing find. Sculptures of warriors are made in full height, horses and other items are also made in life size. The horses weigh more than 200 kg, and the warriors weigh about 135 kg. The researchers believe that these statues were buried together with the first emperor of the Qin dynasty named Qin Shi Huang in 210-209 BC. To date, more than 8,000 sculptures of soldiers have been discovered and, most likely, this is not the final figure. Despite the fact that instead of living warriors, as the ancient ritual prescribes, copies of his soldiers went to the afterlife with the emperor, the remains of his subjects were still found here.

Clay sculptures rested in crypts from 4 to 8 meters deep. Each warrior has his own weapons and equipment. Among them are privates, archers, infantry, officers, horsemen. All figures are handmade and have individual facial features. Among the 8,000 soldiers, no two are exactly alike. Details of clothing, weapons, and ammunition for horses are made with amazing precision and skill. The found chariots amaze with their splendor.

Not only warriors were found in the burial, there are also musicians, acrobats and officials.

The material from which the sculptures are made is interesting. Chinese scientists found that large sculptures, mainly chariots and horses, were made nearby, from the material of Mount Lishan. And lighter statues of warriors, apparently, were brought from another area.

The Terracotta Army raises a lot of questions from its researchers. Perhaps the most important of them is the technology of making sculptures. During the study, it was found that at first clay sculpture was given desired shape and then burned it. After firing, the warriors were glazed and painted. But clay kilns were not found nearby, in addition, to produce such a huge number of statues, it would take not one kiln, but a whole production complex. This level of development does not correspond to the level of Chinese civilization at that time.

Another issue that haunts the researchers is the bronze weapons that the warriors are equipped with. All metal objects are coated with a special anti-corrosion alloy containing chromium. But this method of metal processing was developed no more than 100 years ago. How did the ancient Chinese know such advanced technology? In addition, the very fact of manufacturing weapons is questionable. Over ten thousand weapons highest quality impossible to do by hand.

The third point is the amazing splendor of the chariots. Their design and decoration is made by craftsmen. the highest level, whose existence also does not fit into those time frames. richly decorated precious metals, plant and animal motifs, executed with the greatest precision, the chariots are outstanding works of Chinese art.

According to researchers, some time after the burial, the tomb of the emperor was plundered, losing its rich decoration. Further, a fire broke out in the crypts, and clay sculptures were covered with collapsed soil.

According to legend, the mausoleum of the emperor is four times larger than the area where research is being carried out today. But the project leaders are in no hurry with further excavations. A legend has also been preserved, according to which the emperor in his afterlife should be accompanied by rivers of mercury. This will not be a very pleasant find, so the excavation leaders are in no hurry to continue work until the surrounding area has been carefully examined. Another reason why the work is temporarily suspended is the safety of the sculptures themselves. The fact is that once in the air, they begin to collapse. Therefore, before digging out the rest, the researchers decided to develop a technology for the preservation of those already found.

Most of the discovered statues are located in the museum complex, specially built near the place of discovery, so that numerous tourists can admire the Terracotta Army. Thousands of soldiers, along with their horses, seemed to be frozen in time. Warriors can be looked at for hours - each figure is magnificent and unique. Their faces are full of courage and determination. And it seems, if necessary, they will move into battle, following their emperor.

The terracotta army, discovered by peasants while drilling an artesian well in the village of Lintun in 1974, is rightfully considered one of the most amazing wonders of the world. More than 8 thousand clay warriors guarding the peace of the first emperor of the Qin dynasty Shi Huangdi have been keeping their secrets for 2200 years.

Each of the warriors (to date, a little more than 1,500 sculptures have been excavated from the ground by archaeologists) has its own unique features and is not like other soldiers.
Warriors differ from each other in appearance, posture, facial expression, as if each statue was molded from nature. Statues of warriors are characterized by fine details.
Everything, from the figure to the hairstyle, to the last hair, the lacing of the clothes, and even the stitching on the sole of the fabric slipper, is worked out with the utmost care.
Statues of warriors and war horses are buried in three colossal crypts, numbered in the order of their discovery as in-1, in-2 and in-3. The depth of each crypt is 5 m.
Every 3 m the crypt separates bearing wall. The floor is paved with black brick.
Terracotta warriors are frozen in the battle formation of a rectangle, most of the figures are foot soldiers. In the hands of the terracotta warriors of the leading detachment - bows or crossbows, on the back - a quiver with arrows.
Shielded infantrymen and war chariots follow the vanguard. On the right and left flanks, side detachments took up positions. Three rows of the rear guard close the formation of the terracotta troops.
Looking at the orderly battle order of the statues of warriors, horses and chariots, it seems that they are about to rush into battle. Having come to power, Shi Huangdi was able to put an end to internecine wars, which led among themselvesTerracotta ArmyChinese kingdoms, and in 221 BC. proclaimed himself the first emperor of the Celestial Empire. Qin Shi Huangdi, at the age of 39, created the first centralized state in the history of China and founded the Qin dynasty. The feudal system of centralized power he created was inherited by all subsequent Chinese dynasties.
During the reign of Qin Shi Huang, Chinese writing, the monetary system, the system of measures and weights were unified, the construction of the Great Wall began and a single network of state roads was created, which had a huge impact on the development of China during subsequent dynasties.
Soon after Qin Shi Huangdi seized power, he began to build himself an enormous underground mausoleum covering an area of ​​8 square meters. km inside 225 sq. km of burial site. While an ordinary person could be buried in a small adobe structure, the emperor had a tomb as full-sized as his army, as it might be needed after death.
The terracotta army of Qin Shi Huangdi guards him from the eastern flank - this is the only direction in which the enemies could attack his capital Xian.
In the course of archaeological research, it was found that the tomb complex in plan is a square with a side of 7.5 km with a total area of ​​56.25 sq. km.
The first stage of excavations took place from 1978 to 1984, the second - from 1985 to 1986. On June 13, 2009, the third stage of excavations began.

Source - http://azialand.ru/terrakotovaya-armiya/

To the east of Xi'an, in the province of Shaanxi, there is a military garrison of many thousands, this is a wonder of the world, known as - Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang . Underground burials include at least 8,099 terracotta statues of Chinese warriors and their horses. They were honored to be buried together with the first emperor of Qin - Qin Shi Huang in 210-209. BC

In the district of Xian, Chinese farmers have long found clay shards, but they were afraid to touch them, and even more so to pick them up, because they believed that strange shards were magical amulets and a source of various troubles. But already in 1974 everything was explained.

History of the Terracotta Army

Once a farmer Yan Ji Wang began to dig a well on his plot of land. He did not find water, but he found something else. Yan Ji Wang stumbled upon the figure of an ancient warrior at a depth of 5 meters. The find of the farmer shocked archaeologists. and subsequent excavations have shown that she is not alone. Several thousand warriors have been discovered by scientists. Terracotta soldiers have been buried in the ground for over 2,000 years since the death of the famous unifier of China, Qin Shi Huang.

Mount Lishan is a man-made Chinese necropolis. Material for terracotta warriors was taken here. The construction of the terracotta army began in 247 BC. e., more than 700,000 artisans and workers took part in their construction, and it took place, as art historians suggest, for 38 years. Qin Shi Huang was interred in 201 BC. e. According to the Chinese historian Sima Qianyu, jewelry and handicrafts were also buried with him.

The horses and warriors of the Terracotta Army in China were created in different areas. Scientists have found that the horses were made near Mount Lishan, most likely to facilitate their transportation (the weight of a horse is approximately 200 kg), the figures of warriors are much lighter, about 135 kg, but the place of their creation is still unknown.

Later, on the site of a grand find, a city arose. Three pavilions protect the terracotta funeral army from bad weather and vandalism. Excavations of the terracotta hordes have been going on for about 40 years, but their end is not expected.

Terracotta is yellow or red clay that has been fired at a constant temperature of at least 1000 degrees for several days.

Yang Ji Wang found Qin Shi Huang's first, main battle row, which contains approximately 6,000 terracotta figures. In 1980, archaeologists unearthed a second column of 2,000 statues. Later, in 1994, the General Staff was discovered - a cluster of top military commanders.

About 700,000 craftsmen were involved in the creation of the imperial army. But why did the ancient Chinese need to spend effort and money to create this grandiose composition? And what other secrets does the land of this area keep?

The protracted bloody period of the seven rival kingdoms ended with the unconditional victory of the Qin dynasty. The young and ambitious ruler Yin Ren subjugated all the kingdoms one by one. Their capitals Zhao, Han, Wei, Yin, Chun and Qi were razed to the ground. For the first time in history, China has achieved unity. Qin Shi Huang appointed himself emperor and immediately moved to reform and strengthen power. He took up the matter with the sophistication and scope inherent in a tyrant. He set himself the goal of destroying any possibility of China's fragmentation and civil strife in the future. The Chinese Empire was divided into 36 districts, each district was assigned two governors (civilian and military). The emperor tightened all standards: this concerned money, measures of length and weight, writing, construction, and even the width of the axle for carts. The standard set in the Qin kingdom served as a model. The previous history of China was declared of little relevance. In 213 BC the books and ancient chronicles of the conquered dynasties were set on fire. More than 460 scientists were subject to execution, who were suspected of disloyalty to the new imperial regime.

The emperor believed that his dynasty would rule the Empire forever and therefore tried to create attributes befitting eternity. One of the results of the imperial thought about the eternal was the Great Wall of China.

Initially, the ruler wanted to bury 4,000 young warriors with him, as the ancient Chinese tradition says, but the advisers managed to convince him not to do this. This barbaric act would inevitably lead to a riot. Then they decided to bury clay statues instead of people. But for reliability, their number was increased. Their eyes were turned to the east, where all the kingdoms that had suffered from the great tyrant were located.

The terracotta warriors were made very finely, probably their creators had an amazing diligence. Can't be found in the whole retinue identical faces because they just don't exist. They reflect the multinationality of the Chinese empire, among them one can observe not only the Chinese, but also Mongols, Uighurs, Tibetans and many others. Details of clothing and hairstyles correspond to their time. Armor and shoes are reproduced with incredible accuracy.

The only difference from real people in their growth. Their height is 1.90 - 1.95 meters. This growth of the Divine Qin army could not be. The finished sculpture was fired in kilns, with a firing temperature of 1,000 degrees. After, the artists painted them with natural colors. Slightly faded colors can still be seen today. However, after a few minutes spent in the air, the colors disappear.

Eleven passages of the main row of warriors are separated by walls. Whole tree trunks were laid on top, covered with mats and 30 cm of cement, and another 3 m of earth on top. This was done in order to protect the deceased emperor among the living. But alas, the calculation could not justify their expectations, a few years later this mighty terracotta army was defeated.

Qin Shi Huang Ding died and his son Er Shi Huang Ding, weak-willed and weak, became the ruler of the empire. His inability to manage caused a storm of indignation among the people. The revolt of the people, whom the advisers feared, nevertheless occurred and there was no one to suppress it. The first defeat went to the terracotta army.

The indignant crowd plundered and burned the army, because the rebels had nowhere to get weapons. His surplus Qin Shi Huang melted down and destroyed in order to avoid various incidents. Here, underground, there were 8,000 sets of bows, shields, spears and swords. main goal they were the rebels. Government troops were defeated. The son of the great emperor was killed by his own courtiers.

For many centuries, robbers were eager to dig up treasures, for some it cost their lives. Amazingly, the terracotta soldiers kept the spirit of their ruler as best they could. They say that human skeletons were also found among the excavations. Ancient manuscripts say that colossal treasures were buried with the divine Qin, including a golden throne. Qin Shi Huang knew how to create intrigue with his riddles. And one of the versions suggests that he was buried elsewhere, and this is just the scenery. And if so, then the scale of a true burial can only be drawn in fantasies.

Removing the figures from the ground, archaeologists were puzzled by the problem - the paint instantly (5 minutes) dried and burst. And a solution was found - after various treatments(immersion in a container with a humid microclimate, coating special composition and irradiation), warriors are exhibited in museums around the world, about 1,500 statues have now been removed. There is a museum directly at the place of discovery, the first exposition opened in 1979, but it appeared in all its glory in 1994.

Along with the Great Wall of China and the Shaolin Monastery, the Terracotta Army in China is on the list of the world's most famous landmarks. If you are lucky enough to travel around Asia, and specifically in China , then be sure to check out the Xi'an Terracotta Army Museum.

The Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in China in 1987.

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