Archeological excavation of Terracotta Warriors witnesses development of China's cultural and museum sector

In March 1974, local farmers accidentally unearthed fragments of clay figurines while digging a well in Lintong, northwest China's Shaanxi province, leading to one of the most significant archeological discoveries in the 20th century -- the army of Terracotta Warriors.

As a treasure of Chinese civilization, the Terracotta Warriors offer a vivid glimpse into the formidable national power, burial customs and artistic achievements in the era of Emperor Qinshihuang, the first emperor to unify China, during the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-207 BC).

Tourists visit pit No. 2 of the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, on September 8, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Zha Chaoyang)

After 50 years of archaeological excavation, the "underground army" has unveiled its true form. It contains about 8,000 figurines of terracotta warriors and horses and 40,000 weapons, which are spread across three pits, covering an area of over 20,000 square meters.

There are also vividly displayed military formations dating back to over 2,000 years, accompanied by functional areas such as military camps and tents. Besides, the Terracotta Warriors exhibit diverse clothing and hairstyles, and each warrior is unique in appearance.

The discovery and excavation of the Terracotta Warriors have led to a systematic and comprehensive exploration of the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum (hereinafter referred to as "the museum"), which covers an area of approximately 56 square kilometers. In 1987, the Emperor Qinshihuang Mausoleum and Terracotta Warriors were included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO.

On September 8, 2024, an emergency protection lab was established and put into operation at pit No. 1 of the museum, while an archaeological excavation and protection platform was set up and started operating at pit No. 2.

The emergency protection lab is equipped with an environment control system, specialized lighting, work recording capabilities, a system for collecting information on cultural relics, and devices for lifting and transporting cultural relics.

According to Shen Maosheng, a researcher with the museum, these systems and equipment were implemented for the purpose of excavating, protecting, and displaying cultural relics simultaneously. It is backed by an innovative approach that combines on-site emergency protection, archaeological platforms, specialized equipment, and information technology.

Tourists visit pit No. 1 of the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, on October 5, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Lin Daohui)

Over the past 50 years, cultural heritage workers have tackled a number of technological challenges, including the protection of excavation sites, the restoration of the pieces of the painted Terracotta Warriors, and using remote sensing and geophysical prospecting to uncover the secrets of the underground palace.

While the Terracotta Warriors on display to the public seem to be tall and intact, upon their initial excavation, they were mostly in a broken state, with each warrior typically consisting of numerous fragments.

"Before they begin their work, repairers often spend one to three years practicing even a single technique such as adhesive bonding," said Lan Desheng, a cultural relics conservation and restoration expert with the museum. Lan said that even a deviation as small as one millimeter in the bottom fragments can hinder them from aligning properly at the top.

In the restoration process, industrial scanners have been utilized to gather surface information of cultural relics, thereby establishing a three-dimensional database; virtual stitching technology has been employed to assemble the fragments in a specific order based on the measurements of geometric similarity. These cutting-edge technologies are instrumental in restoring the Terracotta Warriors to their original appearance and in enhancing efforts related to the protection, restoration design, and digital display.

The Terracotta Warriors exhibit a diverse range of colors. However, without timely protection, the pigments on the figurines can quickly dehydrate, curl, and peel off within minutes of being excavated.

Since the 1980s and 1990s, scientists from home and abroad have collaborated to research and develop techniques for analyzing and preserving the painted colors, with the goal of maintaining this vibrant and colorful underground world.

Members of an archaeological team work at an excavation site of pit No. 1 of the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Photo from the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum)

In May this year, the museum reached an agreement with the Foundation for Cultural Heritage Sciences in France to collaborate on research for protecting wooden remains and earthen archaeological sites. Besides, it has partnered with research institutions from Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom (UK), and other countries to enhance dialogue on safeguarding world cultural heritage. So far, it has received over 160 million visits from home and abroad who came to witness the grandeur of the Qin Dynasty.

The Terracotta Warriors have emerged as a global icon, acting as China's "golden card." In 1976, two warrior figurines and a clay horse from the site made their debut in Japan, marking the first overseas showcase of the Terracotta Warriors.

An exhibition related to the Terracotta Warriors in the UK from 2007 to 2008 sold out 100,000 tickets, while the exhibition "Terracotta Warriors and Ancient China: Heritage from the Qin and Han Dynasty" in Japan from 2022 to 2023 attracted over 400,000 local visitors. Each exhibition overseas featuring the Terracotta Warriors has sparked a surge of interest in Chinese culture.

Since its opening, the museum has welcomed more than 230 foreign heads of state and dignitaries. A total of 277 exhibitions have been held in nearly 200 cities across over 50 countries and regions, attracting a total of 20 million visits. The number of overseas exhibitions and the size of the audience rank among the best in the world.

"Over the past 50 years, the protection, excavation, research, interpretation, inheritance, and utilization of the museum have exemplified China's innovative practices and dedication to staying current in fields such as archaeological exploration, cultural relic restoration, scientific protection, site display, heritage education, and cultural exchanges," said Li Gang, curator of the museum.

"We are committed to continuing our efforts in sharing the story of the Emperor Qinshihuang Mausoleum and the Terracotta Warriors with the world, establishing a model for the protection, inheritance, and promotion of cultural heritage," Li said.