Terracotta Unification History

It wasn’t until the year of 221BC that the warring states of China were unified. The unification was under the power of China’s first and most famous Emperor Qin Shihuangdi. Not only famed for is input to the development of China but his discovered terracotta warriors which surrounded his mausoleum.
Paragraph One:
The year 1974 unlocked hidden mysteries about Qin Shihaungdi and the ancient history of China. Yang Zhifa, digging a well during a drought in March 1974, came across the face of a man made from terracotta. It was apparent to the farmer that he had come across something significant. (Unlocking The Past, 2008). An excavation project commenced to reveal the rest of what was lying beneath the ground of the farm. With the continuation

of the project, archaeologists soon revealed they had found an ancient Mausoleum which was protected by an army of terracotta warriors. The excavators and archaeologists later discovered that the unearthed land led to one of four pits containing these warriors but also containing the mausoleum of first emperor of China Qin Shihuangdi. (Appendix One). In the time of his ruling from 246BC to 210BC he unified china and formed several renowned Chinese icons such as the Great Wall of China. (Discovering China At Ours, 2004). Since taking power at the age of twenty two, Shihuangdi had been planning his mausoleum. (Encyclopaedia of China, Online, 2015) ”It is estimated that from three pits containing the Terracotta army they held more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots, 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses.” (National Geographic, Online, 2003). In 206BC Shihuangdi’s tomb was invaded by rebels. Pilfering all the treasure, they saw the warriors as invaluable and left them. Setting fire to the chamber a vast amount of the warriors were ruined by the blaze. (Unlocking The Past, 2008). With extensive examination, researchers have found that the warriors are each crafted individually to represent replicas of his army and kingdom. This being he was convinced that he needed to strive into the afterlife to hold his power and authority over his peers. (Hua Umf, Online, 2010) (Terracotta Army, Online, 2001).
Paragraph Two:
Throughout China’s history it has become apparent that burial practices are essential to their ways and traditions.

The Chinese believed at this time that the soul was divided into two parts: one that would stay with the body, earthbound, and one that would ascend to heaven after death. (Emperor Qin in the Afterlife, Online, 2007). For China’s first emperor Qin Shihuangdi entering the afterlife with power and authority was his number one priority. Shihuangdi hired more than 50,000 conscripts to recreate his entire army out of terracotta. Having a large fear of dying, the terracotta warriors were designed to protect Shihuangdi and assisted with his arrival into the afterlife. (Terracotta Warriors, Online, 2010). Before unexpectedly dying in 210BC he went on a quest to find immortality. He devoted years of his life discovering new methods of immorality. Employing 300 astrologers to elude evil spirits, taking a journey through China to find fabled herbs and then creating the terracotta warriors. (Unlocking The Past, 2008). “However, it is puzzling why someone so focused on staying alive as long as possible would have such lavish and detailed plans in place for his tomb.” (Emperor Qin in the Afterlife, Online,

2007).
Paragraph Three:
Preservation is vital for any found artefacts. Not only does it restore and maintain the relics it also uncovers answers from ancient times. After the discovery of Qin Shihuangdi’s mausoleum and the terracotta warriors immediate preservation methods took place. Using local clay repairs of legs, arms, body and heads commenced. With modern technology restorations using computer aided, 3D, and particle accelerator restorers became increasily beneficial when preserving the artefacts. When the warriors where discovered it was assumed that they had no paint until further exacavtion revealed segments of paint still attached to some warriors. The use of a computer and a particle accelerator researchers are able to restore parts of the paint on the artefacts. The rest is repainted. (Unlocking the Past, 2008) (Appendix Two). Without research and preservation of artefacts the evidence of history would be non existent. Extensive research has gone into the discovered warriors and mausoleum which gradually started to reveal answers about life in China 2,000 years ago. (Ancient Origins, Online, 2013). Not only does it clearly demonstrate that the Chinese beliefs in the afterlife were prominent it also outlines the way the culture, traditions and everyday life was like. It shows the art/craft skills of the craftsmen/women who created the terracotta warriors. Most importantly they reveal the evolution to human ways. (Unlocking the Past, 2008).
Paragraph Four:
With unbounded confidence, Shihuangdi claimed that his dynasty would last “10,000 generations.” Qin Shihuangdi’s forecast never pursued although he still remains one of Chinas most celebrated individuals.

(Britannica, Online, 2015). Along with being one of the most famous figures in history, the creation of a mausoleum of such high precision and the discovery of the terracotta warriors which surrounded his tomb suggests that the authority held was far more powerful than his peers. (Famous Wonders, Online 2015). (The First Emperor of China,

1986).

Conclusion:
Shihuangdi has proven that the power and authority he once held continued on into modern day life. With copious amounts of research and preservation on Shihuangdi’s mausoleum verifies that still today, his name and story remains legendary and needs to be preserved. With the largest mausoleum in the world Qin Shihuangdi has appeared to be far more powerful than his subjects in the ancient and modern worlds.