A terrible drought struck the province of Shaanxi in 1974. The farmers there, who wanted to help themselves out, began to dig a well on the hills around Li Mountains, not far from Xi’an. No water came out, but instead, they discovered something completely unexpected – red stones resembling a figure of a man.The fragments unearthed were not only those of broken terracotta ceramics. These were the initial components of the magnificent puzzle, which remained hidden underground for over 2,200 years. The farmers, oblivious to fate, performed their usual harvesting activities, without any clue that they had just discovered the top layer of the burial chamber, far more complicated than anything ever imagined by humans. The quest for irrigation water led them straight to the quiet keepers of the First Chinese Emperor, Qin Shi Huang.The frozen ghost armyThe magnitude of the discovery is difficult to imagine. With further studies being conducted at the site, its true nature gradually became clear. According to the UNESCO description of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, an entire city was constructed for the purpose of functioning as his mausoleum. Therein lies the lifelike army of clay figurines representing infantrymen, archers, charioteers, and horsemen.What makes this discovery unique and qualifies it as a piece of ancient art is the uniqueness of each soldier. The faces of all soldiers are distinctive. They have their own unique facial expressions and hairstyles, which indicate that they must have been modelled on the real people who served as soldiers for the emperor. There is evident perfection of work and skill that would provide the emperor with a strong army to protect him in the next world.The pits resemble a huge dormitory that is located underground, or better yet, an underground stone city. As one article in the Smithsonian Magazine indicates, new discoveries are being made all the time. Each year, there are new sculptures discovered, brightly coloured, no doubt. But what is really important is the fact that they are found with bronze weapons that can cut through cloth and bones.
This accidental discovery revealed the vast underground mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, containing a lifelike army of uniquely crafted clay soldiers. The find, made while seeking irrigation, unexpectedly uncovered a significant historical legacy.
From a farmer’s tool to a marvel of wonderThere are very few historical events that can serve as good examples of how ordinary things like the habit of digging can radically change the future. It was not widely known in other countries before 1974 that Emperor Qinshihuang of China had his own mausoleum. Only some information led to this discovery that astonished many people.While exploring these open pits, one cannot help but find oneself fascinated by the seemingly precise arrangements of the clay. These rows lead us right back to the third century BCE, forming an intriguing link to the past. Through no particular design of their own, these farmers, fighting for survival through the drought, have created an invaluable legacy of empire for posterity. In doing so, they remind us that history is not confined merely to books but can be found where we struggle today.The importance of exploration coupled with caution is emphasised here. These artworks used bright colours that would peel off instantly once in contact with the atmosphere. Therefore, scientists were compelled to be creative with their techniques in order to preserve the fragile “blush” of the army. This is what makes sure that the army discovered by some lucky farmers in the 1970s remains preserved for years to come.
