The Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang is one of the most iconic archaeological finds in history. The terracotta warriors and horses of Qin Shi Huang were buried with the first emperor of China in 210 BC in order to protect and serve him in the afterlife. The terracotta army was discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well near Xi’an in central China. The terracotta army includes an estimated 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which still remain buried in the pits.

Each individual soldier was sculpted in its own unique way, with different facial features, armor, and weapons. The terracotta figures were created using molds and some of the figures were even painted with bright colors. The terracotta army provided valuable insight into the military organization of the Qin dynasty. The figures were arranged in a military formation, with the taller and more important looking figures in the front, the lesser figures in the back and the cavalry and chariots on the sides. This arrangement suggests that the Qin dynasty had a clear understanding of military tactics and strategy.

The terracotta army has also provided an invaluable insight into the everyday life of the Qin dynasty. Archaeologists have been able to reconstruct the dress, hairstyles and weapons of the period from studying the figures. The terracotta army has also enabled researchers to gain a better understanding of the Qin dynasty's technology, including their weapons and tools. The terracotta figures have been instrumental in helping to preserve the history of the Qin dynasty.