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Home> China City Guide> Xi'an> The Terra-Cotta Warriors> The Terracotta Pits
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The Terracotta Pits
The museum comprises three buildings each spanning a pit. Pit1, 2 and 3 ,respectively in order of discovery, are the main formation with a total area of 22,780 square meters(Approx. 5 acres)and 1,000 life-size terra-cotta warriors, horses and chariots.
Pit No.1
Pit No.1 ,discovered over the period May 1974 to June 1976, is in an oblong shape, 230 meters in length from east to west, 62 meters in width from north to south and 5 meters in depth. The pit covers an area of 114,260 square meters. A section of 960 square meters has been fully excavated and marked out as the centerpiece of the museum. So far, more than 2,000 warriors have been unearthed, and investigations suggest that up to 6,000 more lie beneath the dusty substrate in the pit alone. It is an earth-and-wood structure in the shape of tunnel. The terra-cotta warriors and horses in Pit No.1 are arrayed in a practical battle formation. In the long corridor to the east end of the pit stand facing east the vanguard of 204 warriors in three lines in battle tunics and puttees, 70 in each,
totaling 210 altogether. Armed with bows and arrows, they constitute the vanguard. There is one row of warriors in the south, north and west of the corridor respectively, facing outward. They are probably the flanks and the rear guard. Holding crossbows and arrows and other long-distance shooting weapons, they took up the job of defending the whole battle formation. The ten rammed partition walls divided Pit No.1 into eleven latitudinal with horse-drawn chariots in the center. The main body, directly behind the vanguard, consists of 36 groups of carts and warriors standing at various intervals, armor-clad, holding long-shaft weapons representing the principal force.
The vanguard force have no helmets, and their hair is instead formed into tall buns and their legs are protected by rattan. Their unique fighting skill is indicated by the crossbows in hands. Directly behind the vanguard, the heavily armed warriors stand in formation. Their legs are wrapped tightly, and they are positioned according the weapons they carry, including spears, battle-axes, halberds and crossbows. (picture crossbows) The main task of the soldiers in the right and left flank formations was to closely watch the deployment of enemy forces the responsibility of rear guard was to prevent an enemy from behind.
Fifty wooden chariots found were pulled by teams of four horses. The shafts on the chariots measure 3.7 to 3.96 meter in length, with the bodies measuring 1.2 meters in length and 1.4 meters in width. Each coach has a 40cm railing and rear door, and the 1.35 meter wheels have 30 spokes. On the chariots painted with lacquer and exquisitely decorated with patterns stand a three-man team, including the charioteer. And the chariot was surrounded by a small battle unit of between 50-100 infantrymen. Most chariots found in the No.1 Pit are considered to have been command carts carrying generals who sat in the left seat barking orders and either beating drums or ringing bells to indicate whether their forces should charge or retreat.(bai 39)(bai 42)
Pit No.2
Located 20 meters to the north of the eastern end of Pit No.1, Pit No.2 is L-shaped and consists of four different mixed military forces, namely, infantry, cavalry, archers and charioteers. Trial explorations and excavations indicate the trench may hold as many as 350 terra cotta chariot horses, 100 cavalry steeds, over 900 warriors from various ranks, and 89 wooden chariots. The array is composed of four small divisions which represent the powerful flank force protecting the main body in the No. 1 Pit. The pit is measured 6,000 square meters.
The first small square formation of 230 crossbow archers, including 160 heavily armoured kneeling figurines in eight columns of 20 each occupies the first unit in the pit. Many other standing crossbow archers assume a shooting position to the rear. The battle array was highly effective when facing an enemy, with the two different shooting positions making it possible for archers to fire volleys at intervals in order to effectively stop the advancing enemy.
The second small square division is composed of 64 chariots divided into eight groups. The third division in the center of square array consists of a combination of chariots, infantrymen and cavalrymen which are divided into three columns,with six chariots in the first and third columns and seven in the second column. A figurine of a general is found in the last chariot in the third column.
A fourth square cavalry division found the crossbow archers consists of chariots and 108 cavalrymen in column array. Each chariot holds two figurines, a charioteer and a scout. The nine ranks of cavalrymen are divided into three groups of four each. Each tall cavalryman with strong features wears full armor, and stands beside his mount holding a bow in one hand and reigns in the other. The muscular horses wearing saddles and blankets appear ready for immediate action.
The above four small square divisions unite to form one larger unit as a highly flexible " battle array within a battle array."
Pit. No.3
Pit No.3 is located 25 meters to the north of Pit No.1 and to the west of Pit No.2. The plane of the pit is of concave shape totaling about 520 square meters. Out of the pit were unearthed one chariot, four terra-cotta horses and 68 clay armored warriors. To its east there is a sloping entrance, 11.2 meters long, 3.7 meters wide, opposite which is a chariot and 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 those in Pits No.1 and No.2 in which the warriors are placed in the 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 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 was a remaining sacrificial of offerings and war prayers were practiced. Judging by the layout of the pit, it is likely the headquarters directing the mighty underground army.
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