YEAR 11 YEAR 11 ANCIENT HISTORYANCIENT HISTORY

CASE STUDY 2CASE STUDY 2

ENTOMBED WARRIORS ENTOMBED WARRIORS

FROM XIANFROM XIAN

AIS ANNUAL HISTORY CONFERENCE,

THE KINGS SCHOOL

14 MARCH 2008

Jan Brady, Arden Anglican School

CHINACHINA

Xian

(shee an [a as in car])

Zhengzhou

(djung jo)

Yellow River (Wei He) Valley

(weigh hu [as in fur])

QIN SHI HUANG - OVERVIEWQIN SHI HUANG - OVERVIEW

QinQin (family/dynasty) (family/dynasty) Shi HuangShi Huang (first emperor) (first emperor) took the throne aged 13 years, under a took the throne aged 13 years, under a

regencyregency crowned King of Qin in 238 BC aged 22, and crowned King of Qin in 238 BC aged 22, and

ruled on his ownruled on his own by 221 BC he had unified the other six states by 221 BC he had unified the other six states

with the Qin to become the first emperor of with the Qin to become the first emperor of ChinaChina

died 210 BCdied 210 BC

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

King Zheng (djung) King Zheng (djung) the Tiger of Qin (chin)the Tiger of Qin (chin) son and grandson of Kings of Zhengson and grandson of Kings of Zheng born Ying Zheng in 259 BC in Handanborn Ying Zheng in 259 BC in Handan the period of The Warring Statesthe period of The Warring States one of many sonsone of many sons mother - a minor concubinemother - a minor concubine

UNIFICATION OF CHINAUNIFICATION OF CHINA

Qin expansion took over the other statesQin expansion took over the other states Han Han (hahn)(hahn) 230 BC 230 BC Zhao Zhao (djow)(djow) ( 228 BC ( 228 BC Wei Wei (weigh)(weigh) 225 BC 225 BC Chu Chu (dchu)(dchu) 223 BC 223 BC Yan Yan (yahn)(yahn) 222 BC 222 BC Qi’in Qi’in (chee oon)(chee oon) 221 BC 221 BC

One China, one EmperorOne China, one Emperor

Is this the Emperor?Is this the Emperor?

Probably not, but it is Probably not, but it is the most commonly the most commonly used imageused image

Based on a Ming Based on a Ming dynasty image dynasty image (c.1368 to 1644)(c.1368 to 1644)

Showing Ming Showing Ming clothesclothes

LOCATION OF LOCATION OF QIN PALACE AND MAUSOLEUMQIN PALACE AND MAUSOLEUM

Qin Shi Huangdi Tomb site and Lishan

Apang Palace

Wei He Valley

The home of emperors – the Wei He Valley approx. 600 km

Eastern Zhou (770-221BC) Eastern Han (25-220), Wei (220-265) and Western Jin (317-420) capital

5 Dynasties and Sung capital 907-1127

Apang PalaceApang Palace•Home of the emperor

•Outside Xian

•Unfinished at the time of his death but still huge

•1300 metres from north to south and 500 paces from east to west (odd measurements?)

•More than 10 000 courtiers could assemble and be seated on its outer platform

The site of the mausoleum of The site of the mausoleum of Qin ShihuangQin Shihuang

Lishan is in the distance on the rightLishan is in the distance on the right

The lines of pines follow the inner and outer walls which originally surrounded the mountain

Three tiered pyramid shape

SIMA QIAN SIMA QIAN HAN HISTORIANHAN HISTORIAN

FIRST ‘MODERN’ FIRST ‘MODERN’ DISCOVERY 1948DISCOVERY 1948

• A small figure of a servant, possibly a eunuch, found near Lishan

• Nowhere near life size, stands about 50 c. high

The discovery of the The discovery of the Warriors - 1974Warriors - 1974

Discovered by a group of farmers digging a Discovered by a group of farmers digging a wellwell thought they had dug into an old kilnthought they had dug into an old kiln then thought they had found an ‘earth god’ when the then thought they had found an ‘earth god’ when the

first soldier appearedfirst soldier appeared next they found Qin bricks, which they knew from next they found Qin bricks, which they knew from

past diggings were valuablepast diggings were valuable then found arrowheads, which were sold for scrap then found arrowheads, which were sold for scrap

by the kiloby the kilo local governor informedlocal governor informed site commandeered by Zhao Kangmin, local site commandeered by Zhao Kangmin, local

historian and curator of Lintong Museumhistorian and curator of Lintong Museum

PAST DIGGINGSPAST DIGGINGS

Same site used for five Han tombs (1Same site used for five Han tombs (1stst and 2and 2ndnd century AD) and 20 Ming tombs century AD) and 20 Ming tombs (15(15thth to 18 to 18thth century) century)

Before 1974 not much was said about Before 1974 not much was said about the warriors. As they were considered the warriors. As they were considered bad luck, they were simply dug overbad luck, they were simply dug over

THE RESCUETHE RESCUE Zhao Kangmin, local museum director in Zhao Kangmin, local museum director in

Lintong was called to assess the findLintong was called to assess the find Began an exploratory dig within two months Began an exploratory dig within two months

and revealed Pit 1and revealed Pit 1 Took 20 days to reveal the width of the pitTook 20 days to reveal the width of the pit Another four years revealed only one fifth of Another four years revealed only one fifth of

the pitthe pit Work began on Pits 2 and 3Work began on Pits 2 and 3 There are other pits – the Chinese view is that There are other pits – the Chinese view is that

they can wait until more is known about how to they can wait until more is known about how to preserve thempreserve them

TERRACOTTA WARRIORS–PIT 1TERRACOTTA WARRIORS–PIT 1

Horses from the excavation of Horses from the excavation of Pit 1Pit 1

Warrior Site

Lishan

Lintong Village

Mausoleum

Servants Carriages

Animals and birds

Clerks

Known discoveries cover an area of 57 square kilometres

Other finds – bronze carriages – Other finds – bronze carriages – half real sizehalf real size

Open carriage

Defensible carriage – the Emperor’s

Both are complete in every possible detail

OTHER FINDSOTHER FINDS

Bronze lamp from the Apang

Palace

Metal bolts and fasteners from the Palace

OTHER FINDS OTHER FINDS

Hundreds of pits with a single horse skeleton, Hundreds of pits with a single horse skeleton, some with a groomsome with a groom

Many single tombs with skeletons, and Many single tombs with skeletons, and precious objects of gold, silver, jade and laquerprecious objects of gold, silver, jade and laquer

Everyday objects such as bells, bowls and tilesEveryday objects such as bells, bowls and tiles A water gardenA water garden A workshop producing stone flakes for armourA workshop producing stone flakes for armour Statues of officialsStatues of officials In all 180 pits and several hundred graves In all 180 pits and several hundred graves

have been found – so farhave been found – so far

Construction and structure Construction and structure of the burial vaultsof the burial vaults

Began immediately Zheng took the Began immediately Zheng took the thronethrone

Pit 1 dug and extended as the figures Pit 1 dug and extended as the figures were created.were created.

Pit 2 created for the cavalryPit 2 created for the cavalry Pit 3 appears to be the Army’s Pit 3 appears to be the Army’s

headquartersheadquarters Pit 4 empty, purpose unknownPit 4 empty, purpose unknown

ConcealmentConcealment

Buried – it Buried – it WASWAS a tomb a tomb Covered pits, wooden supports and roofCovered pits, wooden supports and roof Straw matting on topStraw matting on top Then 3 metres of soil was used to cover Then 3 metres of soil was used to cover

the whole area – most of it from the the whole area – most of it from the diggings themselves but also from a diggings themselves but also from a ‘pond’ some distance away‘pond’ some distance away

Unexcavated parts of Pit 2 – the original beam roof and matting is shown

Layout of Pit 2Layout of Pit 2

Previous image taken from here

The parts marked in outline are the only parts excavated in this pit

PurposePurpose

To demonstrate the magnificence and To demonstrate the magnificence and power of the Emperor foreverpower of the Emperor forever

To defend the Emperor for eternityTo defend the Emperor for eternity As part of the Emperor’s needs in the As part of the Emperor’s needs in the

afterlife just as they were needed in his afterlife just as they were needed in his real lifereal life

Nature of Qin WarfareNature of Qin Warfare

Large peasant-based armiesLarge peasant-based armies Society based on military principlesSociety based on military principles

Efficient agricultureEfficient agriculture Committed bureaucracyCommitted bureaucracy Professional armyProfessional army

Status and progress depended on military performanceStatus and progress depended on military performance Tough, mobile, highly disciplinedTough, mobile, highly disciplined Gongs, drums, banner and flags used for Gongs, drums, banner and flags used for

communication on the battlefieldcommunication on the battlefield Crossbowmen, the shock troops, led the infantryCrossbowmen, the shock troops, led the infantry

ArmourArmour

Made of leatherMade of leather Plated in large pieces (lower ranks) or Plated in large pieces (lower ranks) or

buckled together in small pieces (upper buckled together in small pieces (upper ranks)ranks)

Some sleeve armour Some sleeve armour Charioteers in full armourCharioteers in full armour Cavalry lightly cladCavalry lightly clad

WeaponsWeapons

Mostly in bronze and wood, iron just Mostly in bronze and wood, iron just developingdeveloping

Crossbows and standard bowsCrossbows and standard bows Spears and lancesSpears and lances SwordsSwords Dagger axesDagger axes HalberdsHalberds

Crossbows and ordinary bowsCrossbows and ordinary bows

A new crossbow using evidence from the warrior site

and an original trigger

New wood attached to original arrow points

Bronze Officer’s swordBronze Officer’s sword

Features and status of the army - Seven gradesHigh ranking (generals?); middle ranking officers; armouredsoldiers; unarmoured soldiers; charioteers; cavalrymen; and

archers both kneeling and standing.

Hairstyles were of social, military and aesthetic Hairstyles were of social, military and aesthetic significance, so there are many differences shownsignificance, so there are many differences shown

Beards and moustaches were marks of beauty and Beards and moustaches were marks of beauty and status and showed individuality within the conformitystatus and showed individuality within the conformity

Manufacture of the Manufacture of the warriorswarriors

On average, made in 10 parts for the body and two halves for the On average, made in 10 parts for the body and two halves for the headhead

Greatest problem is balance Greatest problem is balance 3 solutions3 solutions

On a baseOn a base Make them kneelingMake them kneeling Make the legs heavy and the body lightMake the legs heavy and the body light

Made in moulds, left for a few days, then fired, though some of the Made in moulds, left for a few days, then fired, though some of the heavier bodies are made of coiled clayheavier bodies are made of coiled clay

Local clay used and cooked in kilns built into the loess wallsLocal clay used and cooked in kilns built into the loess walls The warriors are idealized, calm, limited in their individualityThe warriors are idealized, calm, limited in their individuality Each rank of officer is taller than the lower rankEach rank of officer is taller than the lower rank

The creators of the The creators of the warriorswarriors

Estimated that about 100 foremen supervised Estimated that about 100 foremen supervised about 1000 workersabout 1000 workers

Some names are known and 87 different Some names are known and 87 different foremen identifiedforemen identified

Many identified as having worked on the Apang Many identified as having worked on the Apang palacepalace

Artisans made the final adjustments to each Artisans made the final adjustments to each head to make it individualhead to make it individual

How many were made? Not 8000, probably How many were made? Not 8000, probably closer to 100 000 plus. So where are the closer to 100 000 plus. So where are the others?others?

The Museum of the The Museum of the Terracotta Warriors and Terracotta Warriors and German scientists have German scientists have digitally recreated what the digitally recreated what the warriors would have warriors would have looked like. This is a looked like. This is a General of the Army. The General of the Army. The colours are based on colours are based on residues found on the clayresidues found on the clay

Source: John Man, The Terracotta Army: China’s Source: John Man, The Terracotta Army: China’s First Emperor and the Birth of a Nation, Bantam, First Emperor and the Birth of a Nation, Bantam, London, 2007, p. next to 193.London, 2007, p. next to 193.

Horses in Pit 3Horses in Pit 3

Metallurgy and military Metallurgy and military science - technologyscience - technology

The Terracotta Army was created at the end of the The Terracotta Army was created at the end of the Bronze Age and the beginning of the Iron AgeBronze Age and the beginning of the Iron Age

It demonstrates the most advanced bronze technology It demonstrates the most advanced bronze technology of the periodof the period

Military science was also well-developed with several Military science was also well-developed with several well-known theories about warfare having been well-known theories about warfare having been published, in particular Sun Zi’s published, in particular Sun Zi’s The Art of War The Art of War which which had been written during the early Warring States had been written during the early Warring States Period and is still quoted todayPeriod and is still quoted today Avoid battle unless you are assured of victoryAvoid battle unless you are assured of victory Plan well and avoid risksPlan well and avoid risks Use psychological methods to overawe your enemy Use psychological methods to overawe your enemy Strike hard and fastStrike hard and fast

World Heritage Site Criteria World Heritage Site Criteria metmet

to represent a masterpiece of human creative to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius; genius;

to exhibit an important interchange of human values to exhibit an important interchange of human values within a cultural area of the world, on developments within a cultural area of the world, on developments in monumental arts; in monumental arts;

to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared; which has disappeared;

to be an outstanding example of a type of building, to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history; history;

to be directly or tangibly associated with events or to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs. living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs.

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY AND SOURCESSELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY AND SOURCES

Clements, Jonathan, Clements, Jonathan, The First Emperor: Conqueror of ChinaThe First Emperor: Conqueror of China.. Lonely Planet, Lonely Planet, China.China. Luo Zhewen, Luo Zhewen, World Cultural and Natural Hieritage Sites.World Cultural and Natural Hieritage Sites. Man, John, Man, John, The Terracotta Army: China’s first emperor and the birth of a The Terracotta Army: China’s first emperor and the birth of a

nation.nation. Pancella, Peggy, Pancella, Peggy, Qin Shi Huangdi: First Emperor of China.Qin Shi Huangdi: First Emperor of China. Portal, Jane, The First Emperor: China’s Terracotta ArmyPortal, Jane, The First Emperor: China’s Terracotta Army Silk Road Photo CollectionSilk Road Photo Collection, NHK., NHK. Wu Xiaocong and Guo Youmin, Wu Xiaocong and Guo Youmin, The First Emperor of China.The First Emperor of China. Yang Yang and Zhao Gushan, Yang Yang and Zhao Gushan, Chinese Archeology.Chinese Archeology. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/441 Video: The Emperor and the Assassin, starring Gong Li (not bad Video: The Emperor and the Assassin, starring Gong Li (not bad

historically but it is a movie), Hong Kong/China made.historically but it is a movie), Hong Kong/China made. Video: Tomb of the Terracotta Warriors, National Geographic.Video: Tomb of the Terracotta Warriors, National Geographic. Video: IMAX, First Emperor of China.Video: IMAX, First Emperor of China.

Just some last thoughts

This bronze, sand cast, pot has pride of place in Xianyang City Museum (Xianyang Shi Bowuguan. It was found on the site of the Apang Palace

It stands about half a metre tall and it is stunning!

What intrigues the viewer are the obvious influences from Egypt in both the style and decorations of the ‘hat’/‘crown’/‘helmet’.

Alexander the Great had reached the Amu Darya River in modern day Uzbekistan approximately one hundred years before Shi Huangdi took power. China bordered the area then as it does now. Is this the contact? If not …..?

What did the Chinese mean by calling their country The Middle Kingdom? The middle of what?

Jan Brady