The Discovery of the Terra Cotta Army
The figures of the Terra Cotta Army were discovered in 1974 by a group of Chinese farmers in the Lintong District, Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China. The farmers were digging a well when they stumbled upon the first figure of the army. After further excavation, it was revealed that there were thousands of life-sized figures buried underground.
The Purpose of the Terra Cotta Army
The Terra Cotta Army was created to protect the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. It is believed that the figures were created to serve as an afterlife guard for the emperor and his empire. The figures are estimated to have been built around 210–209 BCE.