The Terracotta Warriors burial pits are a group of large burial pits on the periphery of the mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, located 1500 meters to the east of the mausoleum. It consists of three terracotta pits, which are numbered Pit 1, Pit 2 and Pit 3 according to the order of discovery. Terracotta Army Pit No. 1 is the largest in area, rectangular in plan, 230 meters long from east to west, 62 meters wide from north to south, and 5 meters deep. The size is equivalent to two soccer fields, with a total area of 14,260 square meters. According to the density of arrangement, it is estimated that more than 6,000 pieces of terracotta figurines and horses can be unearthed after all excavations.

In March 1974 local farmers dug a well in the ground south of the village and unearthed fragments of terracotta figurines, thus unveiling the Terracotta Warriors Pit 1. On October 1, 1979, the Terracotta Warriors Museum, with Pit 1 as the main body, was opened. 2009 to 2019, Pit 1 was officially excavated for the third time.

The excavation has unearthed more than 1,000 terracotta figures, 8 chariots, 32 ceramic horses, and nearly 10,000 pieces of various bronzes. According to the density of the terracotta warriors excavated, it is estimated that more than 6,000 pieces of terracotta warriors and horses were buried in Pit 1. Among them, there are also painted terracotta warriors, which have realistic attitudes and distinctive appearances, and their costumes, hair ornaments, weapons and equipment are different. The height of the terracotta warriors in Pit 1 is 1.8 meters to 2.0 meters, which is still a mystery whether it is made according to the real height of the Qin people or is “elevated”.

Military Formation of Pit 1

Pit 1 is an east-west rectangle, 230 meters long and 62 meters wide, with a total area of 14,260 square meters. There are five doorways on each of the four sides. There are promenades at the east and west ends of the pit, one gallery on each side of the north and south, and nine east-west crossing holes in the middle. The rammed earth walls intervene between the overhauled. This pit is dominated by chariot and infantry in a rectangular joint formation. The main body of the formation faced east, and in the south, north and west corridors each had a row of warriors facing outward, acting as flank guards and rear guards. Three rows of warriors on the east side were the vanguard. Inside the nine over holes are arranged a large main military formation of chariots and infantry. Four rows of warriors were in each of the over holes, some in battle robes and some in armor. The center was equipped with chariots, each followed by one imperial hand and two charioteers.

Architectural Structure of Pit 1

Terracotta Warrior Pit No. 1 is an east-west rectangle with underground pits of adobe construction. There are five sloping doorways at the east and west ends and at the north and south sides. The main entrance is on the east side, and there is a long corridor at the east and west ends of the terracotta pit. The north and south sides have a side corridor, and in the middle are nine east-west transitional holes. The bottom of the terracotta pit is paved with green bricks, and the height of the inner space of the pit is 3.2 meters. After putting the terracotta figurines and horses into the terracotta pit, the door was blocked with a vertical wooden doorway and filled with soil by ramming. Thus, a closed underground military camp was formed.

Terracotta Warriors Were Indeed Attacked by Fire

During the third excavation of Terracotta Warriors Pit 1, it was found that the terracotta warriors in the canopies and passageway ventilation had obviously been burned. The temperature was so high that some of the ceramic pieces were severely damaged. The archaeological staff confirmed through this excavation that the Qin terracotta warriors had indeed been artificially burned.

During the excavation, archaeologists found that the western section of the excavation area had a north-south tunnel running through and connected to the northern doorway. The laterite layer at the location of the canal collapsed in a blocky slab, and all the figurines near the canal and overcrowding were burned and damaged. Severe deformation and discoloration, some are even burned. And the shed wood ashes in this area are all white, which shows that the temperature is very high. The burnt terracotta figurines were mainly distributed in the canals and other ventilation, and the damage to the figurines in this section was more serious than in other places, so it can be seen that the terracotta pits were artificially burnt and could not be spontaneous combustion. In the end, who burned it remains to be further studied.