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Today we were woken up again by the school exercises and sleepily got ready for a day at the terracotta warriors (said to be the 8th wonder of the ancient world), luckily we'd packed the night before this time so no watch could hinder us!
We left the hotel at 9 with a local guide who told us about the warriors and how they were built the first emperor of China (a member of the Quin dynasty) about 2000 years ago. He was also the emperor who joined all the provinces together and commissioned the Great Wall. As I've mentioned before, part of Chinese tradition is that anything that is buried with someone will be with them in the afterlife and anything that is burnt for them will also go to them. This emperor wanted to be immortal but when he realised that wouldn't happen he decided to make a start on his mausoleum so that it was up to his standards. He commissioned 8000 clay warriors to be created to follow him into the afterlife so that he could be emperor and have a strong force at his command. This includes chariots, horses, archers, infantry, generals and officers..quite an impressive feat especially as all are ordered in divisions too. They are all lifesize and range from 1.5-2m in height and all were hand made with different faces so that no 2 are the same to reflect a real army. They were also all hand painted in beautiful rich colours although all the paint has flaked away by now. Despite the massive excavations to the surrounding area, the emperors actual tomb has never been opened for this reason as they dont want to damage the painted warriors inside as the paint starts to flake off 15 seconds after contact with air and is gone within 12 minutes! The warriors took 37 years to make and the emperor actually died before they were finished. He was buried with his two still alive concubines (sadly they didn't get terracotta replicas!!) and 2 bronze chariots were also found near him to take him to the afterworld. The entire thing was also burned and practically destroyed by the next emperor who was the start of a new dynasty who wanted to destroy the previous emperor's chances in the next life..rude! But they've remained in very good condition despite this! Worry not!
They were discovered exactly 20 years before I was born (we all know how much I love coinkydink dates) on the 29th March 1974 by a farmer who was digging a well on his land when he discovered an arm!! We saw him today at the museum :)
Anyway sorry for the information overload but wanted to 1. Remind myself of all the history 2. Let anyone else who wants to know about the history and 3. Test my brain to see how much it remembered from our guide today!!! Not too too shabby I feel :) I had a great day and really enjoyed visiting the warrior workshop where we saw how the warriors were made and visiting the 3 pits. The warriors were incredible and very impressive to look at. I can only imagine how majestic they all must have looked before they were covered up!
We're off on a night train tonight before joining out boat for a river cruise that evening. On that until the 13th so will update you all again then :)
Lots of love, Flo x x x
- comments
A rare commentator... Why were the warriors made so tall considering the Chinese are your height, were they wearing high heels?
YKW Dude you're making me want to go to China now! Sounds utterly amazing - keep enjoying yourself! xxx
M Elliott Enjoyed the history - extraordinary story. Well done and may the force be with you (always!) MWE
sandra flobear enjoyed the history. works party this saturday we will have a drink for you. Miss you lots of love mummy sandra xx