Beneath the Clay: The Terracotta Army and Qin Shi Huang’s Buried Secrets

The Terracotta Army is a massive collection of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots buried underground in Xi’an, China. Created more than 2,000 years ago, these figures were meant to protect China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in the afterlife, reflecting his belief in life beyond death. This underground army is part of a vast tomb complex built during the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BCE) and is one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. In 1987, the site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In March 1974, a group of farmers from Xiyang Village in Lintong County, near Xi’an, were digging a well during a drought. As they worked through the dry soil, they unexpectedly found broken pottery and clay fragments. Digging further, they uncovered life-sized clay figures resembling real soldiers. The farmers informed local authorities, who sent a team of archaeologists to investigate. What they discovered was astonishing—an entire underground army made of terracotta that had remained hidden for over two thousand years.

The Terracotta Army was constructed during the reign of Qin Shi Huang, who became King of Qin in 246 BCE at just 13 years old. Even at that young age, he began planning his burial site. Believing in life after death, he thought he would need an army to protect him in the next world. In 221 BCE, he unified the warring states of China and declared himself the first emperor of a united nation. Qin Shi Huang was a powerful and visionary ruler who ordered the construction of an enormous tomb complex to reflect his greatness and ensure his legacy endured after death. The Terracotta Army was a central feature of this plan, symbolizing eternal power and protection.

First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang

Historical records and archaeological findings suggest that the construction of the emperor’s tomb—including the Terracotta Army—took nearly 40 years, beginning around 246 BCE and continuing until his death in 210 BCE. Over 700,000 workers—including craftsmen, artists, engineers, and laborers—participated in the project. They dug massive underground chambers, sculpted thousands of clay figures, and crafted weapons and armor with remarkable precision.

Behind the grandeur of this astonishing project lies a dark and tragic history. According to the ancient historian Sima Qian, who wrote the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji) about a century after the emperor’s death, many workers never left the tomb. To protect the secrets of the mausoleum—including hidden treasures and complex traps—Qin Shi Huang’s son allegedly ordered that the artisans and laborers be sealed inside once their work was complete. The inner and outer gates of the tomb were shut, trapping them forever beneath the earth. The emperor’s childless concubines were also buried alive, decreed to follow him into death. These brutal acts reflected the emperor’s obsession with power and control—even in the afterlife. To disguise the tomb, trees and grass were planted over the pyramid-shaped mound, concealing the horrors below.

The ancient historian Sima Qian

Dr. Duan Chingbo

Scientific surveys in the 1990s by archaeologist Dr. Duan Chingbo detected high levels of mercury in the soil around the tomb, supporting Sima Qian’s claim that rivers of liquid mercury were used to represent China’s waterways in the burial chamber. Magnetic scans also revealed large quantities of coins and metallic objects, hinting at unimaginable treasures still hidden underground.

Each soldier in the Terracotta Army stands between 1.8 to 2 meters tall, with generals being the tallest. The army includes foot soldiers, archers, cavalrymen, charioteers, and officers, all dressed in Qin Dynasty armor and posed realistically, with detailed facial expressions, hairstyles, and clothing. No two soldiers are exactly alike. This incredible detail showcases the artisans’ craftsmanship and the emperor’s demand for lifelike, powerful protectors.

The figures were made from local clay. While torsos and limbs were typically formed using molds, heads and facial features were sculpted by hand, making each figure unique. After shaping, they were fired in kilns and originally painted in bright lacquer colors to enhance realism. Over time, exposure to air caused much of the paint to fade, though traces of color still remain.

Archaeologists have uncovered more than 40,000 real weapons in the pits, including bronze swords, spears, crossbows, arrowheads, and axes. Many of these weapons remained sharp due to early forms of chrome plating—a technological advancement far ahead of its time. The weapons were arranged with the soldiers, ready for battle, reinforcing the emperor’s belief in the necessity of military power even after death.

The pits are arranged with military precision: “Pit 1,” the largest, contains the main army; “Pit 2” features cavalry and war chariots; and “Pit 3” holds high-ranking officers and command posts. Smaller pits have revealed non-military figures—musicians, acrobats, and court officials—showing that the emperor intended to recreate his entire imperial court underground.

Despite Qin Shi Huang’s efforts to secure his legacy, the tomb complex was not left untouched. Historical accounts suggest that after the fall of the Qin Dynasty, rebel general Xiang Yu attacked and destroyed parts of the site. Archaeological evidence of burning and looting, as well as damaged or beheaded statues, supports these accounts.

Although the Terracotta Army is now preserved in large exhibition halls, the central tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang remains unopened. Archaeologists are cautious, awaiting advanced technologies that can safely explore the chamber without damaging its fragile contents. Ancient texts speak of traps, treasures, and poisonous materials, and modern findings—like elevated mercury levels—have only deepened the mystery.

For now, the emperor’s greatest secrets remain buried beneath the mound. But the Terracotta Army stands as a powerful symbol of his ambition, legacy, and the enormous human cost of building an empire meant to last forever—even in death.