The Terracotta Warriors are an army of life-sized clay statues buried with China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in 210–209 BCE to protect him in the afterlife. Discovered in 1974 near Xi’an, this vast archaeological site contains thousands of intricately detailed soldiers, horses, and chariots, each with unique facial expressions and armor. The statues, originally painted in vibrant colors, symbolize the emperor’s military might and the sophistication of ancient Chinese craftsmanship.
