China’s Terracotta Army grows as 200 MORE ‘warriors’ found in city of the dead
CHINA'S eerie army of Terracotta Warriors has gained 200 recruits.
Archaeologists uncovered 200 of the carved sentries during excavations at a vast "city of the dead" close to the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.
Stumbled upon by local farmers in 1974, the Terracotta Army boasts more than 8,200 "soldiers" sculpted by a legion of local craftsmen.
It's believed they were built and buried following the death of Huang 2,000 years ago to protect him in the afterlife.
Now a new batch of the clay sculptures has been found by a team of archaeologists at the emperor's massive mausoleum.
Discovered in one of four burial pits surrounding the site, the soldiers come from five different ranks.
One, dubbed "lower than the lowest", was previously unknown to experts, Shaanxi TV reported.
Among other finds at the necropolis, made up of a complex of underground palaces and courtyards, was a golden camel figurine.
The artefact is believed to be the oldest of its kind discovered in China.
Excavations at the mausoleum span several decades, with each new discovery shedding light on the real armies of the Qin Dynasty.
"The terracotta warriors in the mausoleum are lined up the same way as real soldiers thousands of years ago in the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC)," China Cultural Relics Academy member Liu Zheng told the .
"So, archaeologists can research real military systems of the dynasty with these excavated warriors."
For example, senior officers stood at the front of their formations with their swords in their hands, Mr Liu added.
In addition, senior officials wore different hair accessories to their subordinates, he said.
What is China's Terracotta Army?
Here's what you need to know...
- The Terracotta Army is a mysterious collection of more than 8,000 scultptures in China.
- "Soldiers" of the army are life-sized statues averaging around 5ft 11in tall.
- They are located in part of a huge necropolis that surrounds the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China.
- It's believed the carved sentries were built and painted shortly after Huang's death in 210BC to protect him in the afterlife.
- Despite the huge number of statues, no two are like.
- Soldiers are of all ages with different ranks, facial features and hair styles.
- They even sport different clothing and armour, with men from the cavalry dressed differently to foot soldiers.
- It's thought the project took a mob of 700,000 craftsmen several years to complete.
- The Terracotta Army was discovered by farmers digging a well in 1974, over 2,000 years after it was covered over during the burial of Emperor Qin.
- The army was located about a mile from the tomb of the emperor.
Alongside the new soldiers, experts also uncovered twelve horses and weapons during excavations within Huang's tomb.
Each Terracotta warrior was intricately painted, and the newest batch boast excellent colour preservation.
"When these pottery figurines were first excavated, they were mostly coloured — with red belts and dark armour — but we lacked preservation skills and the colours faded," Mr Liu said.
"But, this time, improved technologies are enabling the newly found figurines to retain their vivid colours.
"Exhibition, excavation and conservation of the mausoleum are proceeding at the same time."
The Terracotta Army is just one part of the wider complex of Huang's necropolis, which experts believe covers some 38 square miles.
It's thought a team of 700,000 craftsmen built the warriors over a period several years.
Each of the life-sized statues is unique, with its own hairstyle, clothing, armour and weapons. Excavations of the ancient sculptures continue.
In other news, experts recently uncovered a mystery burial containing 2,100-year-old infant remains wearing helmets made from the skulls of other children.
Some believe China's Terracotta Army was inspired by Ancient Greek sculptors.
And, here are the world's most gruesome ancient burial sites.
Why do you think the warriors were made? Let us know in the comments!
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