In March 1974, several of China's leading archaeologists gathered at a place l.5 kilometers east of Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum in Lintong County, Shaanxi Province, to excavate a l4000-square-meter vault in which thousands of terracotta warriors and horses had remained entombed for over 2,000 years. Thus, the terracotta army, known as another "Wonder of Ancient Civilization," was brought to light.

　　When these warriors and horses were shown to the world, everybody was impressed by the fact that they were life-size as well as by their huge number. Subsequent excavation of the first, second and the third vaults made clear their formation and battle array. The three vaults are magnificent, covering an area of 20,000 square meters. They mainly contain infantry, cavalry and war chariots, serving as life-size reproductions of the Qin army of ancient China.

　　In those days, armies consisted of a legion of the left, a legion of the right, a legion of the center and the command headquarters.

　　To the south of the pit is the second array, including the first through the eighth passage ways, it is composed of 64 chariots, each of which carries three warriors. The third array, i. e. the middle of the pit,including the ninth through the eleventh passageways is composed of l9 chariots and l00 infantrymen. The fourth array to the north of the pit, including the l2th through the l2th passageways is composed of six chariots,l24 saddled horses and cavalrymen. The four arrays are closely connected to constitute a complete battle formation and can be divided up to act independently, capable of attacking and defending and of self-protection and quick response. Three of the four arrays in Pit No. 2 have chariots and warriors. The chariots took up most of battle formation. This proves that chariots and warriors was the principal fighting forces in the Qin Dynasty. The wooden chariots have become decayed with age, but the tongues and wheels left clear traces in the clay. The bronze parts of the chariots remained intact.

horse house. On both sides of the house, there is a winging room, in which were unearthed 64 pottery figurines. The arrangement of the pottery figurines is quite different from that in Pits No. 1 and No. 2 in which the warriors are placed in battle formation. But those in Pit No. 3 are arrayed opposite to each other along the walls, in two rows. Even the weapons held by the warriors in Pit No. 3 are different from those in Pits No. 1 and No. 2. The latter were armed with long-range across bows and arrows and short weapons such as spears, barbed spears, swords and axes. In Pit No. 3 were only discovered one kind of weapon called “shu”, which had no blades and are believed to be used by the guards of honor. Unearthed also in this pit were remaining deer-horn and animal bones. This is probably the place where sacrificial offerings and war prayers were practiced. Judging by the layout of Pit No. 3, it is most likely the headquarters directing the mighty underground army.

coffin and the collapse of earthen layers. No.2 bronze chariot and horses were found broken into l, 555 pieces. After two-and-half years of careful and painstaking restoration by archaeologists and other experts, they were formally open to the public on October 1,1983. No.1 bronze chariot and horses were also open to the public in l988.

　　The bronze chariots drawn by four horses, with a single shaft, were placed one before the other vertically. The front chariot, i. e. No.1 Chariot was named "High Chariot". The charioteers and passengers all stood in the chariot. The back chariot, i. e. No.2 Chariot was named "Security Chariot", and also called "air-conditioned chariot ". It has a front room and a back room, between which there is a partition. The front room is for the charioteer and rear one, for the master (emperor). In the rear compartment, there is a window on either side of the carriage as well as in the front with a door at the back. The windows and doors could close and open easily. The small holes on the windows were used for ventilation. On top of the chariot, there was an elliptical umbrella—like canopy. The chariot was color-painted against a white background. No.2 Chariot was fitted with more than l, 500 pieces of silver and gold and other ornaments, looking luxurious, splendid and graceful. Probably it was used for Emperor Qin Shihuang's soul to go out on inspection. No. 1 Chariot was equipped with crossbows, arrow heads, shields and the charioteer wore a hat, which shows that this chariot was employed to protect the No. 2 Chariot behind.

　　The chariots and horses are exact imitations of actual chariot, horse and driver in half life-size. The main body is cast of bronze. There is altogether l, 720 pieces of gold and silver decoration on the chariots and horses, with a total weight of seven kilograms of silver and gold wares. One is compelled to appreciate the high technology, the real artistic modeling in great admiration. For instance, the umbrella-like canopy on the top is only four-millimeter thick, the window one millimeter thick, with many ventilation holes. The horse tassels were made of bronze thread as thin as a hair, the diameter of which is only 0.1I m. m. The horse necklaces were welded together with 42 nodes of gold and 42 nodes of silver. Archaeologists can see the welding joints only with the help of magnifiers. The horse halters, made of a gold tube and a silver tube, were joined with a form of snap fasteners. In the halters, there is a pin. When the pin was pulled out, the halters could be removed completely.

　　Most western people wonder at the great numbers of the din warriors, and they feel puzzled at their stylized shapes. Actually, din figures are of high artistic value as sculptures of human figures, and are a landmark in the historical development of ancient sculpture in China. Although they may not be as vivid as the sculptures of the same period in the West, they emphasize the revelation of the subjects' inner world through their facial expressions and in a simple and vigorous style, characterized by a sense of a powerful internal force. The large numbers reflect the centralized authority in China's feudal society, serving as a typical example of different art of sculpture between East and West.

　　It is worth mentioning that there is individuality in the costumes and expressions of the warriors and horses. The Qin warrior figures show distinctive individual personalities, with different facial expressions. For instance, a face with a broad forehead, high cheekbones, thick brows, large eyes and stiff beard is the face of a hardy and fearless man, whereas a round face with regular features reveals a frank and open- hearted character. An oval face with fine features shows a genteel disposition. Then there is a square face with honest simplicity clearly written all over it. The young soldiers generally have chubby faces, and are smiling naively. The older soldiers, with lined foreheads, appear to be weather-beaten veterans who have seen much of the world.

development of the Chinese nation and its culture, and his underground army remains as a testimony to the splendor of ancient civilization in East Asia.