Terracotta Warriors

The Terracotta Warriors are an army made of clay. They were buried over 2,200 years ago in China. They stand guard over the tomb of the first emperor of China. There are thousands of them, and every face is different. They are one of the biggest finds in all of history.

An Army for an Emperor

Emperor Qin Shi Huang wanted to be safe even after he died. He ordered workers to build a huge tomb. They made clay statues of soldiers to protect him. There are also horses, chariots, and weapons. The whole army was placed in deep pits underground.

Rows of clay soldier statues buried long ago in China.
Rows of clay soldier statues buried long ago in China. (申威隆 / Wikimedia Commons)

Found by Farmers

In 1974, farmers in China were digging a well. They found pieces of a clay head in the dirt. Scientists soon came to look. They dug up thousands of full statues. Today, people from all over the world come to see the warriors.

Fun Facts

  • There are more than 8,000 Terracotta Warriors.
  • Each warrior's face looks different from the others.
  • The statues were once painted in bright colors.

Did You Know?

The warriors once held real bronze weapons like swords and crossbows.