→ Bronze Cranes

About 984 yards to the northeastern corner of the outer city of the Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum, there is an accessory pit numbered No. 7, which is F shaped and measures 66 yards long. It is discovered by the villagers in the neighboring Sunma Village when they dug graves. The pit has unearthed over 13 bronze birds, which were first discovered in the history of the Qin Mausoleum's archaeology. It is known that the bronze wares were rarely discovered in the surroundings of the Emperor Qin Shihuang's mausoleum, therefore, this large amount of bronze wares in the pit is really a great thrill.

Bronze Swan Goose

Bronze Crane

Only 30 square yards of the pit has been excavated. The ruins of the baked-earth and charcoal prove that the pit was burnt in history. There are thirteen pieces of bronze birds in the pit. Through careful examination, the experts have confirmed that two of them are cranes, and the rest are hard to be grouped into any birds because they are covered with mud and are seriously rusted. Presumed by the archaeologists, the pit was probably a pond, on the two sides of which stood these birds.

In Chinese traditional culture, the crane's position is the second after the phoenix. Together with the tortoise, it is the king of longevity. Chinese people often use "crane's age" to praise a person's long life. The two bronze cranes reflect the Emperor Qin Shihuang's long cherished wish to prolong life. The crane which was lying on the northern wall in the pit measures 27 inches long and eight inches wide. Its neck has been broken into several pieces, measuring 17 inches long. Its end was curved upward. The other crane lying on the southern wall was in a position of drinking water. It measures 25 inches long, eight inches wide and has an eight inches long neck. Both the body surfaces of the two birds are left with the remains of the colorful painting. And about the identification of other birds, the experts are doing more research to find out the answer as soon as possible.

→ Acrobatics Figures (Baixi Yong)

In the spring in 1999, the archaeologists at the Mausoleum of the Emperor Qin Shihuang discovered an accessory pit between the inner and outer city of the mausoleum. In the nine newly excavated pits, they found eleven color-painted acrobatics figures and the utensils they used for performance such as Ding (tripod), spears and pottery basins.

These acrobatics figures, though being crushed into pieces, are recognizable on the whole. At present, three pieces have been repaired and marked No.1, No.3 and No.5. They are naked from the waist up and wear thick short skirts. Their faces were painted light pink. It is believed that they are probably the acrobats who played wrestling, weight lifting, dancing and other performances.

The No.1 acrobatics figure stands at attention, measuring 5.7 feet tall. Its left hand holds the right wrist and the arms crossed before the belly. The No.3 acrobat is tough and brave. Measuring 6.2 feet tall, it has strong muscles on the chest and arms, the belly slightly bulged, the right arm lifts uplifted, the left thumb put into the waist belt, the left leg bent forward and the right foot steps on the floor heavily. The No.5 acrobat is the strongest and tallest one. It is about 6.6 feet tall. The two hands put across the belly. There is a trail of a cylindrical thing between the left arm and left ribs. It is supposed to be a long wooden column, but was decayed through years.

Terracotta Acrobatics  Figure

Terracotta Acrobatics Figure

Terracotta Figurine of  Animals Keeper

These acrobatics figures are different from those severe-looking terracotta warriors in gestures, dressings and expressions. The discovery of these figures adds a new group to the Qin terracotta warriors; shows us the colorful acrobatical art and the entertainment culture in the Qin royal court.

Arose from the primitive society, Baixi was prospered in the Qin and Han dynasties. It refers to the theatricals and variety shows including pole climbing, wrestling dance, sword-swallowing and tripod lifting, among which the tripod lifting is the most welcomed one. The men of giant strength competed in lifting up the heaviest tripod. During this excavation work, a copper tripod was also unearthed. It weights about 467 pounds, which is the heaviest copper tripod discovered in the Qin Mausoleum by far.

What's more, on the side palace of the Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum, experts discovered a stone dice called Shiboqiong similar to today's dice but with 14 sides. Each side was carved with one character or a number. It is believed that the dice was a play thing of the Emperor Qin Shihuang. But how to play it and how the 14 sides developed into today's six sides, remains unknown.

Next: Exquisite Weaponry of Terracotta Army