The museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.I’m your local guide.Today, we are going to visit the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses.
This museum is located at the foot of mountain LiShan, east of Xi’an.Let me give you a brief introduction about the master of this underground army---the First Qin Emperor.His name was Yingzheng.He came to the throne at the age of 13 and seized the power at the age of 22.When he was only 39 years old, he had annexed all the six independent states and established the first centralized autocratic feudal empire in the long history of China.//秦始皇简介
Then, he standardized the coinage, weights and measures, and so on.He also ordered the linkage of the original Great Wall.All these had an everlasting influence on the long feudal history of China.//功绩简介
But, just like each coin has two sides, the First Qin Emperor became more and more arrogant and ambitious.He ordered that a magnificent mausoleum should be built for him.It took 37 years with 700,000 works from all parts of the country to complete this project.And the site of terracotta warriors and horses, we are going to visit, is just a small part of his mausoleum.Ok, everyone, now we are standing at the front gate of the Eighth Wonder of the world---the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses.There are three pits of warriors and horses and two bronze chariots have been found.The first one was discovered in March 1974 when several farmers were sinking a well.Then another 2 pits and the bronze chariots were also uncovered.As one of the top ten places of historical interest in China, it was also listed as a world heritage site.//兵马俑及铜车马的出土
So next, let’s go to uncover the veil of them one by one.Now we are standing at the front of pit 1.The terracotta armies in pit 1 were arranged in battle formation.In the front of this formation, there are warriors in 3 lines facing forward.Armed with bows and arrows, they are the vanguard.There is one row of warriors on each of the borders of this pit, facing outward, holding long-distance shooting weapons ---they are the flanks to defend the whole army.There are 28 columns of warriors with horse-drawn chariots in the center.They represent the principal military force of this battle formation.According to the density, there are over 6000 terracotta warriors and horses, and most of them are infantry men.With all of these, no wonder the Qin Emperor could annex all the six independent states and unify China!//一号坑军阵特点
Ok, let’s move on.Here now we arrived at Pit 2.We can see that pit 2 is under cover, it is because we want to preserve them.You know, the warriors originally were painted in color, but today’s technology is not advanced enough to protect it very well after excavation.According to research, pit 2 consists of 4 different mixed military forces in four arrays.There are infantrymen, cavalrymen, archers and charioteers.They can be divided to act independently, capable of attacking, and defending with a quick response.//二号坑及军阵特点
Look at those clay warriors carefully, we can find that their feet, legs, bodies, necks, hands, all is different.And their hair style, shoes are also quite different by their role in the army.The indent on the sole(鞋底的纹路) was clear and meticulous.We may find they are all vivid and true to life.Here is pit 3.The warriors were arranged opposite to each other in two rows, and only one kind of weapon called “shū” (殳) had been discovered.This kind of weapon has no blade, and is believed to be used by the guards of honor.We have found many animal bones in the north side, and it is supposed to be “Prayer Hall”, and “Commander’s office” is on the south side.And in the center, there used to be a chariot, which seems to be ready to send orders.This suggests pit 3 is the headquarters directing the whole underground army.//3号坑
Now we have arrived at the exhibition hall of Bronze Chariots and Horses.In 1980, two sets of large painted bronze chariots and horses were found.They broke into thousands of pieces when we found them and after 8 years’ careful restoration, they were rebuilt and open to the public.The first one was named “High Chariot” and the second one was called “Security Chariot”.Both of them were made in half life-size.Chariot NO.2 has a front room and a back room, and the windows and doors can close and open easily.The two bronze chariots and horses are decorated with many gold and silver ornaments.The umbrella-like canopy on the top is only four millimeter thick, and the window is one millimeter thick, with many ventilation holes.The horse taels were made of bronze thread as thin as hair, whose diameter is only 0.1 millimeter.It is incredible that the Chinese people could make such exquisite and intricate items over 2000 years ago.
Ok, everyone! So much for this today! We still have some free time.So next, you may look around and take some pictures.We’ll leave at 2 o’clock, so please do not be late.You know, I will mi you.And I’ll stay here, if you have any question, pleak ask me.By the way, watch your step please! So next, it’s your turn.Thank you for listening.
