Discovery of Terracotta Army in 1974
In March 1974, the Terracotta Army was accidentally discovered by local farmers digging a well in wasteland near Xiyang Village, Lintong district, Xi'an City, approximately 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) east of the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum mound.
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| Terracotta Army Pit 1 |
How the Terracotta Warriors Were Discovered? - During a Well Digging
In March 1974, local farmers from Xiyang Village started digging a well on a piece of wasteland in search of water. When they reached a depth of about 3 meters (10 feet), they found a layer of charcoal remains and distinctive red soil. As they continued past 4 meters (13 feet), one farmer unearthed a life-sized pottery head, which villagers first thought was a "Pottery God." Soon after, they discovered some bronze arrows, crossbows, and fragments of pottery figures wearing armor.
This discovery was quickly reported to the Lintong Museum. Upon visiting the site, archaeologists recognized these finds as potentially important relics and stopped the well-digging work. They collected the fragments, including pottery figures and bronze weapons, filling three handcarts. Some villagers then transported these fragments to the Lintong Museum. In the middle and last of April, under the guidance of Zhao Kangmin, the former curator of the Lintong Museum, the initial restoration of these fragments began. About two months later, two life-sized terracotta figures wearing armor and belts were successfully restored. Based on their features and his professional archaeological experience, Zhao Kangmin identified them as warrior figures from the Qin Dynasty (221 - 207 BC), which is why they are now called the "Qin Terracotta Warriors."
In the middle of May, a journalist from Beijing, visiting relatives in Lintong, learned about the discovery from his wife, who worked at the museum. Recognizing its potential significance, he wrote an article for the central government once he returned to Beijing. The article attracted the attention of high-level officials, prompting the government to establish an archaeological team. The team began to excavate the terracotta warriors on July 15th, and since then, the Terracotta Army has gradually become known worldwide.
When Were the Terracotta Warriors Discovered?
The terracotta warriors were first accidentally discovered on March 29, 1974, when local farmer Yang Zhifa unearthed a life-sized pottery figure while digging a well. Later, numerous fragments of terracotta warriors, bronze weapons, and floor tiles were found in succession. Then, formal archaeological exploration and trial excavations began on July 15 of the same year. After five years of extensive work, the Terracotta Army Museum was officially established and opened to the public on October 1, 1979, showcasing these remarkable archaeological discoveries to visitors from around the world.
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| Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum |
Where Were the Terracotta Warriors Discovered?
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| Original Site of the Well |
The Terracotta Warriors were discovered beneath wasteland in the southern part of Xiyang Village, Lintong District. The site is about 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) east of the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum mound and approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Xi'an city. This discovery site, the original well location, is at the easternmost edge of what is now known as Pit 1 today.
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Terracotta Warriors Pit 2
Terracotta Warriors Pit 3
Yang Zhifa, a member of the well-digging team, was the first to unearth a terracotta warrior's head using a farming hoe. In 1988, he was invited to meet US President Bill Clinton during his state visit to China, as the first discoverer of the Terracotta Warriors. As a result, he began to gain wider recognition. Following the public opening of the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, Yang Zhifa became the first person to sign books there as one of the discoverers of the terracotta warriors. Today, some of the discovers, including Yang Zhifa, still take turns signing books at the museum. Visitors to the Terracotta Army Museum might be lucky enough to meet him in person.
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| Our Guests with Yang Zhifa |
The other eight members of the well-digging group, Yang Peiyan, Yang Xinman, Yang Quanyi, Yang Wenxue, Yang Yanxin, Yang Yizhou, Yang Wenhai, and Wang Puzhi, are also recognized as co-discoverers of the underground army.
Additionally, Zhao Kangmin was the first to recognize the significance of the terracotta warriors and identify them as Qin Dynasty warriors. He promoted their protection and initial restoration of these terracotta figures. While the farmers were the first to physically unearth these terracotta fragments, many believe Zhao should be credited as the first to truly "discover" them from a historical and archaeological perspective.
Further Reading:
Where are the Terracotta Warriors Located?
Why was the Terracotta Army built?
When was the Terracotta Army Built?
How many Terracotta Warriors are there in China?
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Top 20 FAQs about the Terracotta Army
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How to Visit Terracotta Army - A Perfect One-Day Tour Plan
