The Clay Army of Qin Shi Huangdi
By: T. Curtin
What is the Clay Army?
The Clay Army of Qin Shi Huangdi was built by 700,000 laborers. The whole army itself included between 7,000 and 8,000 clay warriors. Each warrior was about 6 to 6.5 feet tall and weighed around 330 pounds. This army was made from terracotta clay, a natural clay that gives it a reddish brown color. Besides the warriors, the tomb also included 130 chariots, 520 horses, and 150 calvary horses.
When was the Clay Army made and found?
The Clay Army was found in 1974. It was buried from 110-109 B.C. It was found by farmers drilling wells in search of water, when they found broken pieces of broken terracotta clay they reported it to the superiors, soon the grounds where covered with arciologist. It took 40 years total to complete the tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi and the army. The 700,000 slaves and laborers were killed to keep the tombs where about's a secret. There were four main pits that the army was found. Each pit was 21 feet deep and varied widths. Only three out of the four pits were finished.
Why was the Clay Army created?
In preparation for his death Qin Shi Huangdi had a underground replica of his kingdom built. He had his clay army created to defend his kingdom and protect his tomb. One other reason people believe that his army was built,l was to guide and protect him through his after life. The Chinese like the Egyptians believed you should be prepared for your afterlife. In doing so Qin Shi Huangdi built his clay army.
Who created the clay army?
Qin Shi Huangdi was the first emperor of China. He took the throne at the age of thirteen. He created the Clay Army to protect him and guide him through the after life. Qin Shi Huangdi past away before his clay army was complete, so they never finished it. Like I said before only three out of the four pits that were supposed to be filled with warriors were complete.