What Are The Secrets Of The Terracotta Warriors

The Terracotta Warrior is a household name to millions around the world. Yet, scientists and archaeologists worldwide are still unravelling their secrets till today. How did ancient craftsmen do something never done before, creating an 8000-strong armies of clay infantry, archers, cavalries and generals? Modern science is making astonishing discoveries and headways into the secrets of the terracotta warriors. The mysteries and the secrets surrounding the science of creating the terracotta warriors, the unification of China and the history of the Qin Dynasty were the reasons that drive the interest and choice of this artefact. As it would be fascinating to learn about ancient beliefs, cultures and traditions as well as the legacy of the Great
Qin Emperor, the concepts that I will be exploring in this portfolio are ancient beliefs and legacies.

The Terracotta Warriors
The terracotta warriors were discovered in 1974 near Xian, China, 2000 years after they were first created.
The 8000-strong terracotta warriors were found buried in three pits near the tomb of one of history's most powerful man, the brilliant but ruthless Qin Emperor, Qin Shi Huang.

Ancient Beliefs of Immortality and the Afterlife
The terracotta warriors are evidences of ancient Chinese cultures and beliefs in immortality and the afterlife.
They were not meant to represent the Qin armies that would otherwise have been sacrificed when the Qin Emperor died. Instead, the elaborate tomb and the terracotta warriors were representations of the things that the Emperor wanted to take with him into death and the afterlife.
This desire for a pristine final resting place accompanied by his terracotta warriors stemmed from his obsession with immortality and the afterlife. Items reflecting wealth and stature such as precious stones were elements believed to contribute to the recreation of the emperor's afterlife and allowing him to achieve immortality as he continue the same life in the next world.
The Emperor's military conquest of China made his army and its war horses an essential part of the Qin Empire. The number of horses and chariots that have been found in the excavations represents the strength of the Qin's army. The almost life-like details of the terracotta warriors display a greater sense of reality, and resonate to us the ancient beliefs of immortality and afterlife once again.

Legacy of the Qin
Emperor
The terracotta warriors are reminders of the many legacies left behind by the Qin Emperor. Other remarkable legacies and artefacts include the Great Wall of China, his Legalistic government, his contribution of standardisation to the economy, and his elaborate tomb among others.
The construction of the Great Wall of China marked national boundaries that led to greater unity in China while Legalism reached its peak in Chinese history during the Qin Dynasty.
Legalism was a form of government with focus on greater efficiency and less adherence to tradition. Strict adherence to the letter of the law was made paramount. It was during this time that the great burning of books and massacre of many scholars were carried out as the Emperor believed that an uneducated population would be easier to control.
Standardisation swept across many aspects of life under the Qin Dynasty. These include standardised axle size of wheels for transport efficiencies, standardised units of measure and money and Chinese scripts across the empire.
The Emperor personally oversaw the construction of his own tomb and the intricate terracotta warriors that accompanied him in his afterlife and ensuring his legacy in the event of his death. The tomb is again a reflection of the Emperor's relentless desire to be immortal and his search for immortality. The skill of the Qin Dynasty's technology and craftsmanship in producing the terracotta warriors remains an insurmountable feat till
today. Conclusion
The Qin Emperor was buried in a tomb accompanied by his army of thousands of terracotta warriors in present-day Xian, China. The terracotta army is one of the greatest archaeological finds in history, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Believed to escort the Qin Emperor in his afterlife, the terracotta warriors were representations of the things that the Emperor wanted to take with him into death and the afterlife. The Qin Emperor left many legacies behind during his time. He was obsessed with immortality and spent years trying to find an elixir to life. While physical immortality was never achieved, it would seem the Emperor’s quest to live forever was ultimately granted. His legacies lived on and his policies are practiced and remembered in China even till today.