Protecting the
Terracotta Army is an ongoing race against the clock. These irreplaceable terracotta figures, crafted over two thousand years ago, face immediate threats from the moment they are unearthed. Shifts in temperature and humidity, exposure to light, and even tiny airborne particles can harm them. Fortunately, conservators have been working diligently over the years to slow their deterioration, employing various methods to extend their lives.
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| Terracotta Army Pit 1 |
Establishing and Maintaining a Stable Environment
1. Building Protective Halls
From the very beginning of the discovery of the terracotta warriors, significant resources were invested in constructing large protective exhibition halls over the excavation sites of
Pit 1,
Pit 2 and
Pit 3. These halls are like "big houses" for the warriors, providing the most basic physical protection by shielding them from wind, rain, and harsh sunlight, preventing direct exposure to the elements. However, the glass roof of Pit 1 allows considerable sunlight to penetrate, still leaving some figures in direct sunlight. Implementing appropriate shading or light-filtering technologies for the roof could be more beneficial for its long-term preservation.
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| Infantry Figures under Direct Sunlight |
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The terracotta figures are sensitive to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. To improve their preservation environment, advanced air conditioning and filtration systems were installed. These systems help regulate temperature and humidity within the museum, filter out some dust and harmful gases, and reduce chemical erosion that may cause surface cracking and weathering of the figures. Additionally, the lighting in the exhibition hall is specially designed to avoid long-term light exposure that could cause the remaining pigments on some figures to fade.
However, as the halls were built earlier and are still semi-open structures, and given the vast size of Pit 1 and Pit 2, where excavation continues, maintaining constant temperature and humidity across the entire site is extremely difficult. If the restored figures can be gradually placed in more stable environments, their aging process may be appropriately slowed.
3. Combating Threats of Microorganisms
Having been buried in damp underground conditions for centuries, the warriors are vulnerable to micro-organic attack. In the past, some figures were indeed infected with mold and fungus. Although eliminated later through chemical agents, some damage occurred. Currently, by carefully managing humidity and employing safe antimicrobial technologies, conservators can effectively suppress the growth of such microorganisms. Creating a suitable, stable environment with constant temperature and humidity as early as possible might spare the warriors from much microbial damage.
Striving to Preserve and Restore Their Original Colors
The terracotta warriors were originally painted with various colors. However, after excavation, a sudden change in the external environment causes the pigment layer on the surface to quickly curl and fall off. To combat this, immediately upon excavation, conservators spray a moisturizing agent on the surface to keep the underlying lacquer layer flexible and flat. Then, a consolidant is applied to help the lacquer layer adhere to the clay surface, providing stabilization and reinforcement. The figure is then wrapped in cling film to maintain humidity. After this initial on-site treatment, it is transferred to the on-site climate-controlled conservation laboratory for further restoration. Currently, conservators have achieved partial success in restoring and preserving the warriors' colors.
 | | Originally Colored High-ranking Officer | |  | | Terracotta Warriors Wrapped by Cling Film | |
However, some tiny pigment fragments can fall into the surrounding soil during excavation. Separating them from the soil and reattaching them to the figures remains a challenge, awaiting advanced technological solutions.
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How to Repair the Damaged Terracotta Army Statues? Protecting the Fragile Earthen Site and Partition Walls
Besides the warriors themselves, the soil and partition walls within the pits are also precious cultural relics. However, after exposure, they are prone to cracking and weathering due to environmental changes. Therefore, conservation personnel regularly monitor their deformation. Currently, some reinforcement measures have been taken in both Pit 1 and Pit 2, effectively preventing the earthen structures from collapsing. Besides, a special breathable protective coating is sprayed on surfaces, acting like a layer of "sunscreen and moisturizer", which can also slow down weathering to some extent. The stability of these "earthen relics" is crucial for the protection of the overall structural integrity and the terracotta warriors.
 | | Terracotta Warriors Protected by Partition Walls | |  | | Earth Site of Pit 2 | |
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Why are there partition walls in the pits of the Terracotta Army? Mitigating Harm from Visitors and the Surrounding Environment
1. Setting a Maximum Visitor Capacity
Research indicates that large crowds can cause rapid spikes in temperature and humidity inside the halls, followed by drops as they leave, which is a cycle of instability. Furthermore, visitors can exhale carbon dioxide, bring in dust and bacteria, affecting the overall environment and hindering preservation. Based on scientific assessments of environmental carrying capacity, the museum has set a daily visitor limit of 65,000 people, helping reduce the environmental strain on the cultural relics.
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| Visitors Queuing on Winter Early Morning |
2. Implementing Protective Barriers and Deploying Security Patrols
To protect the warriors from external damage, protective railings are installed around the pits, and security personnel conduct daily patrols. They safeguard environmental safety inside and outside the pits, handle various emergencies caused by large crowds, and dissuade uncivilized visitor behaviors. Regrettably, incidents like personal items falling into the pits or, in rare cases, visitors stepping into them still occur, posing a threat to the terracotta warriors' protection.
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| Railing and Security Personnel in Pit 1 |
3. Improving the Museum's Surrounding Environment
Protection of the Terracotta Army extends beyond the exhibition halls. In earlier years, nearby factories emitting waste gases near the site posed a significant threat. The large local population and their activities also caused some interference. Consequently, some related measures have been taken to alleviate the problem, such as relocating residents and enterprises, acquiring land in the core area of the
Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum as state property, and implementing localized greening while maintaining historical landscape features. Large green buffer zones were established over the years. These measures have helped purify the surrounding air on a larger scale, reducing harmful gas concentrations and creating a cleaner environment for the Terracotta Army.
Utilizing Modern Technology to Protect the Terracotta Army
1. Installing Real-time Environmental Monitoring Equipment
Currently, conservators have placed numerous sensors at key locations within the pits, on some figure surfaces, and inside glass display cases. Like giving the cultural relics a "full-body health check", these sensors gather real-time data such as temperature, humidity, and structural movement. All data will be fed into a unified early-warning platform that can trigger alerts for any concerning changes, enabling a rapid response. Furthermore, the museum has begun using 3D scanning and intelligent monitoring technology to establish an earthquake disaster early-warning platform. This monitors the stability of the entire site structure, allowing for pre-emptive reinforcement and emergency planning, going beyond simply reinforcing each individual figure.
 | | Temperature Monitoring Equipment | |  | | Humidity Monitoring Equipment | |
However, only a small portion of the cultural relics currently have environmental monitoring devices. If it is possible to expand this sensor network for more coverage in the future, the protection will be more comprehensive and timely.
2. Upgrading Protection and Restoration Techniques
In laboratories, conservators analyze the materials of cultural relics, simulate their aging processes to continuously develop better protective materials and methods. Simultaneously, each terracotta warrior is also being meticulously documented through 3D scanning, creating a precise "digital archive." This not only records their current condition but also allows for virtual reassembly and restoration experiments, improving the accuracy of actual restoration.
Overall, the protection of the Terracotta Army has seen remarkable progress, but it remains a continuous, evolving endeavor that requires persistence, innovation, and resources. As technology advances, future protection methods will undoubtedly become more intelligent and refined. While conservators lead the fight, each of us plays a part. Following visitation rules and caring for the environment are the most practical ways to protect these priceless treasures for generations to come.
- Last updated on Jan. 20, 2026 by Sherry Xia -
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