Often described as the eighth Wonder of the World, the massive, underground army made from fired clay evokes both awe and curiosity. Who was this powerful Emperor of the Qin Dynasty who needed these warriors to guard him in the afterlife? How were nearly 8,000 figures made on such a vast scale so long ago?

This lovely little book, based on the latest research, brings the terra cotta warriors to life in 52 astonishing images. Like the millions of visitors to the on-site museum who see the figures in person, readers will marvel at the cavalry, archers, and infantry; lowly foot soldiers and high-ranking officers; figures of varying ages, with different hairstyles and unique facial expressions, seemingly representing many ethnic groups in China.

The soldiers are spread across a number of pits at the tomb site, on the outskirts of present-day Xi’an, where new discoveries are made every year. Archaeologists predict that it may take longer to excavate the First Emperor’s tomb complex than the approximately thirty-six years it took to build it, as new techniques of conservation and scientific research are introduced. Though the tomb was known from Chinese written record for thousands of years, there was no record of the terra cotta army. The surprise of this discovery still endures, and mounts with each page turned....

The Terracotta Army of Qin Shihuangdi, the First Emperor of China, is one of the most spectacular and best-known finds in world archaeology. It was discovered by surprise in 1974 by peasants digging a well an 8,000-man garrison in battle-ready formation, spread across four pits. Here were life-size warriors made over two thousand years ago from fired clay (originally brightly painted), carrying real weapons: cavalry, archers and infantry; lowly foot soldiers and high-ranking officers; horses and war chariots. But who was this powerful Emperor of the Qin Dynasty who needed an army to guard him in the afterlife? How were the figures made? How could they have been manufactured on such a vast scale? The astonishing facts behind the figures are revealed in this little books fascinating introduction. Individual pieces are then examined in detail to illustrate the amazing nature of the Terracotta Army. Not only are there figures of different ranks and units, but each head is unique: every racial group in China seems to be represented; facial expressions and hairstyles vary; ages and characters are different. Atmospheric photography and extended captions bring the Army to life and make this book a perfect introduction to what has often been described as the eighth Wonder of the World....