Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
The warriors, horses and chariots of the terracotta army were buried
in three pits between five and seven metres beneath the present
ground level. The pits were divided into trenches paved with brick
ad covered with a timber framework of pillars and cross-beams. The
soldiers, chariots and horses were wheeled into position within the
trenches. Wooden planks were laid across the top, then thick reed
mats, and finally soil. A fourth pit as found, but it was empty.
Pit 1
work being carried out. More than 1000 soldiers have been restored
to standing position.
Pit 2
Pit 2 is L-shaped and covers an area of about 6000 square
metres. Excavations have so far revealed around 900 soldiers,
Cross-section
of threeand
trenches of Pit 1
including kneeling and standing archers,
infantrymen
showing the timber framework constructed
charioteers.
over the corridors housing the rows of
terracotta warriors
More than 350 chariot horses, 124 cavalry horses and the
remains of 89 wooden chariots have been uncovered in Pit 2/ Traces
of the original colouring remain on some of the figures. Only a part
of Pit 2 has been excavated. A building has been constructed over
the site to allow excavation and restoration work to continue.
Archaeologists estimate that Pit 2 may hold up to 1300 figures.
Pit 3
Pit 3 is the smallest of the three pits. It is U-shaped and covers
an area of just under 500 square metres. It houses the battle
headquarters of the terracotta army. The ranks of officers can be
distinguished by uniform, armour and headdress. At the front of the
pit, facing east, is a canopied chariot drawn by four horses and
followed by four armoured soldiers. These horses and soldiers were
found in good condition, but many of the other 64 warriors found in
Pit 3 were smashed. Numerous bronze weapons were uncovered in
this pit.
Although many of the soldiers weapons were removed in
ancient times, thousands of weapons have been uncovered
including swords, daggers, halberds, spears, axes, crossbow triggers
and arrows. Many were made from a copper-tin alloy combined with
other elements such as nickel, magnesium and cobalt. Some
weapons were coated with chromium oxide to prevent corrosion.
Many have been found sharp, shiny and untarnished.