The Terracotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Work is ongoing at the site, which is located around 1.5 kilometers east of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum in Lintong County, Shaanxi Province. It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China.

It took 39 years to complete the entire project, which was constructed between 246 and 208BC. The mausoleum was the first of its kind in Chinese history. With a height of 76 meters, the mausoleum is laid out in line with the dimensions of Xianyang, capital of the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC). It is composed of the inner and the outer compounds with perimeters of 2.5 and 6.3 kilometers respectively. The tomb is located in the southwest of the inner compound.

The pits containing the terracotta army that guards the mausoleum were discovered in 1974. Three pits have been excavated so far. Occupying an area of over 200,000 square meters, the pits are arranged in a triangular shape to the east. A total of over 7,000 life-sized terracotta warriors, chariots and horses, and hundreds of bronze weapons have been excavated. The terracotta warriors, whose status can be identified from their respective costumes and positioning, are about 1.8 meters high .

Two bronze carriages excavated from the west of mausoleum have four horses harnessed to each, and in each stand an official and a driver. They display an exquisite casting technique, and are regarded as bronze masterpieces and national treasures. The unearthed bronze weapons are still glittering and sharp.

Continuing excavation of the mausoleum area promises to reveal more wonders in the years to come. Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum is one of the world's largest imperial mausoleums. Although the actual tomb chamber has not been excavated yet, probes have determined that it is a luxurious underground palace with a unique structure and abundant funeral objects.

Many state leaders and experts worldwide believe the discovery to be a major archeological find. As the Eighth Wonder of the World, the significance of the Terracotta Warriors has been compared to that of the pyramids in Egypt. The excavated objects are precious materials for the study of military science, politics, economy, culture, science and the arts of the 2,000-year-old Qin Dynasty.

The find has demonstrated the structure and layout of the mausoleum of the First Emperor of the Qin, as well as the great scientific and cultural achievements of the dynasty. The site is surely among the greatest archeological discoveries of the 20th century in China.

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