Knowra Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor The burial complex built for Qin Shi Huang near modern Xi’an, comprising his unexcavated central tomb mound and surrounding sacrificial pits, including the Terracotta Army.
Terracotta Army : Thousands of life-size clay soldiers, horses, and chariots buried in pits near Qin Shi Huang’s tomb mound. The best-known component of the burial complex, placed in separate pits east of the mound.
Qin Shi Huang's tomb mound : The large earthen mound covering the central burial chamber of Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum. It marks the location of the still-unexcavated central tomb.
Construction of Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum : The decades-long building project that created Qin Shi Huang’s burial complex. Construction began during his reign and mobilized labor on an exceptional scale.
Terracotta Army pit 2 : A pit containing mixed military formations, including archers, cavalry, and chariots. Its varied units contrast with the predominantly infantry formation in pit 1.
Discovery of the Terracotta Army : The 1974 discovery of buried terracotta soldiers by villagers digging a well near Xi’an. The find brought the mausoleum to international attention and led to systematic excavation.
Qin Shi Huang : The ruler who unified China in 221 BCE and became its first emperor. His burial complex was built to serve him in the afterlife.
Terracotta Army pit 1 : The largest excavated pit of the Terracotta Army, containing infantry formations, chariots, and command figures. Its organized ranks reveal how one section of the underground army was arranged.
Sima Qian : A Han dynasty historian who wrote Records of the Grand Historian, an early account of Qin history. His account supplies the famous description of the emperor’s underground tomb.
Terracotta Army pit 3 : A smaller pit with figures and equipment interpreted as a command post for the Terracotta Army. Its distinct arrangement suggests a headquarters within the buried military force.
UNESCO World Heritage Site : A cultural or natural property inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List for its recognized global value. The mausoleum complex received World Heritage status in 1987.
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