By 8:30 we are off to the see the Terra Cotta soldiers with Jing, our local guide assisting Jimmie. Mr. Yang who is now 77 years old is the farmer who was digging a well when he discovered the shards of terra cotta -- alerted the authorities and the rest is history. This was in 1974 -- Mr. Yang signs books at the site and now works in an ambassadorial capacity -- although we are told he can be grouchy when his picture is taken.
Pit #1 is holds 6,000 terra cotta soldiers -- housed in a building which is very much like an airplane hanger. One can view the soldiers which have been uncovered, mended and put back into the original formation as they were buried. In another section, there are soldiers in various stages of being mended -- and then there is a section where archaeologists are working to unearth additional soldiers.
Pit #2 was discovered a couple of years later. It is smaller and we can see what condition the soldiers are in before excavation, mending and put into formation. The task to put these warriors and horses back together is daunting. The tops of the warriers are hollow and the bottoms of the warriors are solid. All the warriors are different -- their faces, their dress, everything. The thinking is that maybe they were modeled after people living in the area 2200 years ago.
Pit #3 also discovered around 1976 is the smallest but thought to be the military headquarters of this army of 8,000 warriors.
Pit #4 is empty so perhaps it was in the process of being completed when there was turmoil which brought about the end of the Qin Dynasty.
Next we visit the museum where on display are two bronze chariots and horses uncovered with the warriors. Most chariots were made from wood so they have decayed over the years. Interestingly enough -- the terra cotta warriors are all much taller than people at that time. Warriors range from 5'11"to 6" tall. The two bronze chariots are about 1/3 the size of a normal chariot at that time. Just before leaving the museum we catch a glimpse of Mr. Yang signing books. He looks more perplexed than grouchy. He's probably still trying to figure out how all this happened when all he wanted was to dig a well.
The three hours spent here fly by -- it's off to lunch at a local restaurant for traditional Chinese food -- back to hotel by 2:30 pm.
After an afternoon rest -- we are back on the bus at 7 pm to go to the Tang Dynasty Theatre for dinner and a show. The Tang Dynasty ruled China from about 600 AD to 900 AD during a period of wealth and prosperity.
This show was incredible -- the costumes, the dancing, the music. Phil and I both loved it as did everyone in attendance. This production is what the Tang royalty would have been enjoying during their time.
A Long wonderful day -- back to the hotel by 10:00 pm.
Thanks for Reading!
Pat
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