Major achievements of 3rd large-scale excavation of No.1 pit of Terra Cotta Warriors displayed

The new discoveries published include more than 310 pieces of small articles such as bronze harnesses, weapons and production tools. In addition, archaeologists have revealed three groups of 12 pottery horses, numbered more than 120 terra-cotta warriors, cleared two chariots, two war drums, ten weapon handles, 12 sets of crossbows and quivers and one painted shield. They have also found traces of decayed wood, mats and piling pits.

Some were never seen before, including drums and painted shields, according to Cao Wei, curator of the Museum of Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses of Qinshihuang Mausoleum.

Also found were warriors with colors that were not seen in the previous excavations, Cao said.

The third time excavation of the No.1 pit began in 2009 and is still going on. The previous two excavations were done in 1974 and 1985.

The excavation has found that the life-size terra-cotta warriors have been seriously damaged. What are left in the pits that have been cleared are only rows upon rows of standing warriors with broken feet. The causes of the damages are unknown.

The life-size terra-cotta warriors are a crucial part of the mausoleum complex of the first emperor of Qin Dynasty, known as Qinshihuang or first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (259-210 BC) in Chinese history.

The mausoleum complex, covering an area of 56.25 square kilometers, was listed in 1987 by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) among the World Heritage sites.

The three burial pits of the terra-cotta warriors already unearthed are on the east side of the mausoleum.

The No.1 Pit was first discovered on March 29, 1974, after several local villagers found some clay residues when digging a well.

According to the formation of the warriors, archeologists estimate that there should be more than 6,000 of them in the No.1 Pit alone.

Compared with the first two excavations of an area of 2,000 square meters, the third excavation concentrated on an area of only 200 square meters.

Chinese archaeologists drew the first layout map of the mausoleum in 1962. According to historical records, Qinshihuang began to build his mausoleum when he was 13. The huge project involved more than 700,000 people in its construction for 38 years up to the death of the emperor.

Since it was open to the public in 1979, the Museum of Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses has received more than 60 million Chinese and foreign visitors. The terra-cotta warriors and horses have been exhibited in more than 40 countries and regions to a total audience of more than 20 million.

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