Terracotta Warriors Pit 2

Pit 2, located in the northeastern corner of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, covers an area of approximately 6,000 square meters (1.48 acres). It is the most comprehensive display of Qin military formations, containing all currently discovered types of terracotta warriors, including infantry, cavalry, charioteers, and archers. Additionally, Pit 2 features five glass display cases displaying some of the most exquisitely crafted and well-preserved terracotta warriors, allowing visitors to appreciate their intricate details from multiple angles up close. Moreover, the pit follows an "excavate-conserve-display" approach, offering visitors a rare opportunity to witness on-site excavation and restoration.

Discovered in May 1976 and opened to the public on October 1, 1994, Pit 2 continues to yield discoveries. Notably, in December 2024, archaeologists unearthed three terracotta horses and three warriors, marking the first discovery of a high-ranking officer in this pit since its initial excavation.
1994.

Terracotta Army Pit 2

Archers Array in Terracotta Warriors Pit 2

 Pit 2 spans approximately ‌124 meters (407 feet) east to west‌ and ‌98 meters (322 feet) north to south‌, with a depth of ‌5 meters (16 feet) ‌. It features a ‌large-scale, east-facing military formation‌, showcasing a highly organized battle array. It has two northern sloping entrances and four on each of the eastern and western ends. As a complex mix of chariots, cavalry, and infantry units, this pit showcases greater architectural complexity and a more diverse array of terracotta warriors and horses than other pits. According to preliminary estimates, it contains over 80 chariots, approximately 1,300 terracotta warriors and horses, and thousands of bronze weapons. Current excavations have uncovered 224 terracotta warriors, 11 chariots, 96 terracotta horses, and numerous weapons, including the first-discovered terracotta general, the kneeling archer, and the cavalry warrior with a saddled horse. The warriors are arranged in four distinct zones, forming an intricate underground army that vividly illustrates the Qin dynasty's (221 - 207 BC) advanced multi-branch military organization system.

This array has a square shape, surrounded by four corridors on all sides, with a total of 332 standing archers inside. In the center of the square, there are four east-west passageways where 160 kneeling archers are aligned in a squatting position, while 172 standing archers encircle them. The distinct  green-faced terracotta warrior  and well-known colored warriors were discovered inside this array in 1999.
 

 See more about True Colors of Terracotta Warriors
 

A Terracotta Kneeling Archer

Green-faced Terracotta Warrior

 

This array spans approximately 52 meters (170.6 feet) from east to west and 48 meters (157.5 feet) from north to south, arranged in eight rows of eight chariots each, totaling 64 chariots. Each chariot is drawn by four life-sized terracotta horses. The charioteer stands at the center, arms extended forward as if holding reins. Flanking the charioteer are two warriors, each gripping a long weapon in one hand and bracing against the chariot with the other, known as the "Left Chariot Warriors" and "Right Chariot Warrior."

  See more about Terracotta Chariot Warriors
 

The middle of the pit features a rectangular formation combining chariots, infantry, and cavalry, comprising 19 chariots, 8 cavalrymen, and nearly 300 infantry warriors. The chariots lead the front, supported by infantry behind and cavalry warriors in coordination, each unit leveraging its strengths.

  See more about Types of Terracotta Statues

This array measures about 50 meters (164 feet) from east to west and 23 meters (75.5 feet) from north to south, with three east-west passageways where all the chariot warriors, cavalry warriors, and horses are aligned. Each cavalry warrior stands to the left front of his horse, arranged in disciplined rectangular groups of four horses. This array confirms that cavalry in the Qin Dynasty was already a fully equipped and independent military branch. 
 

 See more Military Formation of Terracotta Army   

 

On the northern side of Pit 2, five meticulously restored terracotta warriors are displayed in glass cases, all excavated from Pit 2: a kneeling archer, a standing archer, a cavalry warrior, a high-ranking officer, and a middle-ranking officer. Each showcases remarkable craftsmanship and vivid details.
 

This is the most intact terracotta warrior ever unearthed, discovered at the center of Pit 2’s archers array. Dressed in a battle robe with armor overlay, the figure has a hair bun tied on the left side of his head. Its right knee touches the ground while the left one is bent, hands are positioned on the right side with one above the other, as if drawing a crossbow and ready to shoot.

Kneeling Archer

Standing Archer

  

The exhibition hall of Pit 2 currently showcases preserved ceiling beams that demonstrate Qin Dynasty construction techniques and original warrior excavation sites, including unrestored figurine fragments. Simultaneously excavating, protecting, and displaying, Pit 2 allows visitors to witness archaeological excavations firsthand. During spring and autumn weekdays, visitors might catch the archaeological team conducting on-site excavations. Of special note is a high-ranking officer found in December 2024. The careful cleaning and restoration of the officer was conducted in a dedicated laboratory chamber set up inside the pit by experts, with key stages publicly demonstrated.
 

On-site Excavation and Restoration

 

Read more:
Why are there partition walls in the pit of Terracotta Army?
Second Excavation of Pit 2 of Terracotta Army

Next: Terracotta Warriors Pit 3