7.1 Discovery and excavation of the Terracotta Army

The Terracotta Army, discovered in 1974 by Chinese farmers digging a well, is a massive collection of clay soldiers guarding Emperor Qin Shi Huang's tomb. This accidental find sparked worldwide interest and led to extensive archaeological excavations.

Archaeologists faced huge challenges in excavating and preserving thousands of fragile clay figures. They developed new techniques to map the site, protect artifacts, and balance research with conservation, all while managing tourism and potential looting threats.

Discovery of the Terracotta Army

Discovery of Terracotta Army

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  Terracotta Warrior Statues at Xian, China | Discovered in 19… | Flickr View original

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  Terracotta Army - Wikipedia View original

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  Terracotta Warrior Statues at Xian, China | Discovered in 19… | Flickr View original

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  The Terracotta Warriors of Xi'an | Every terracotta warriors… | Flickr View original

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• Unearthed in Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China during March 1974
• Local farmers stumbled upon fragments of terracotta figures while digging a well
• Initial findings revealed terracotta warrior heads and torsos along with bronze arrowheads and other artifacts (weapons, chariots)
• Local authorities notified promptly led to Chinese government recognizing archaeological significance
• Discovery sparked immediate interest in archaeological community worldwide

Excavation process by archaeologists

• Initiated comprehensive site survey using aerial photography and ground-penetrating radar to map extent of burial complex
• Established protected archaeological zone to prevent unauthorized access or disturbance
• Implemented grid system for precise documentation of artifact positions and spatial relationships
• Carefully removed soil layers, meticulously recording stratigraphy and context
• Employed in-situ preservation techniques to protect warriors from environmental damage upon exposure
• Excavated three main pits:
  1. Pit 1: Largest, housing main army formation
  2. Pit 2: Contained cavalry and infantry units, showcasing military diversity
  3. Pit 3: Served as command post, revealing hierarchical structure
• Conducted laboratory analysis using radiometric dating and material composition studies to determine age and manufacturing techniques

Key figures in Terracotta Army research

• Zhao Kangmin, local archaeologist, first examined fragments and recognized historical importance
• Peng Peng led initial excavation, establishing protocols for systematic exploration
• Yuan Zhongyi, former curator of Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors, contributed extensive research on army's historical context
• Zhang Zhifu developed innovative conservation techniques to preserve delicate terracotta figures
• International collaborators brought diverse expertise, enhancing understanding of site's global significance

Challenges of excavation and preservation

• Vast scale of site necessitated long-term excavation strategy, estimated 8,000 warriors to uncover
• Fragility of terracotta figures required immediate conservation upon exposure to prevent crumbling
• Environmental factors like humidity and temperature fluctuations threatened artifact integrity
• Developed new large-scale conservation techniques to address unique preservation challenges
• Balanced excavation with preservation, leaving some areas untouched for future research
• Restoration involved ethical considerations in reconstructing fragmented warriors
• Site management tackled tourism impact and potential looting threats
• Rapid fading of original pigments upon exposure required advanced documentation methods