by Cindy Tang  on China Highlights Site:

The Terracotta Army was constructed to accompany the tomb of China’s First Emperor as an afterlife guard.

The thousands of detailed life-size models represent the army that united China at the end of the Warring States Period (476–221 BC). They were molded in parts, fired, then assembled and painted.

It is considered one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world, and one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century.

Why and How Were the Terracotta Warriors Made?

First Emperor Qin (/chin/), from whom China gets its name, ordered the creation of this army of terracotta statues.

6 Steps to Make a Terracotta Warrior

You will find that some terracotta figures are without heads, but their bodies are complete. Studies of their portions have revealed that the heads, arms, and torsos of the figures were created separately and then assembled.

It is believed that most warriors’ heads and arms were produced in molds as separate modules. After assembly, clay was applied to the surface of the sculptures so that artists could model the faces and hairdos individually.

Then, the figures were fired in kilns to make the clay hard and durable. Afterwards, they were painted with bright colors.

As a result, every figure looks different and unique, just like real people do. After 2,000 years of erosion and humidity, most figures have lost their original vivid color.

Find out LOTS more at:

The Terracotta Army