When a group of peasants discovered some pottery while digging a well in 1974, the life-size terracotta warriors and horses that were uncovered are one of the largest and most important archeological finds in recent years. The standing figures were reassembled to show what the army was to look like. The actual figures lie behind them, broken when the wood roof covering them collapsed over time. The excavation is not complete, it was stopped when they found that they could not preserve the colors that covered the figures.

Dating back to the Qin Dynasty (211-206BC), an estimated 8,000 soldiers are buried in front of Emperor Qinshihuang's tomb to protect him in the afterlife. The main tomb has still to be excavated— partly because archaeologists are still uncertain of its exact location. 700,000 forced labourers were sacrificed to construct his tomb which was begun as soon as he ascended the throne. All workers and childless concubines were interred with him to safeguard it's secrets. According to Sima Qian's "The Historical Records" written a century later, heaven and earth are represented in the tomb's central chamber. The ceiling, inlaid with pearls, represents the starry heavens. The floor, made of stone, forms a map of the Chinese kingdom. A hundred rivers of mercury flow across it, and all manner of treasure is protected by deadly booby-traps.

Hollow heads, arms, and torsos, made of coiled earth, were joined together with strips of clay and set upon solid legs. After this rough model was assembled, a fine clay slip was added, and details such as eyes, mouth, nose and details of dress were carved into the clay while it was still pliable. Additional pieces such as ears, beard and armour were modeled separately and attached, after which the whole figure was fired at a high temperature.

These are half-size bronze chariots that were discovered in 1980 just outside of the Emperor's mausoleum.