Top 10 Bronze Weapons of Terracotta Army

The pits of the Terracotta Army have yielded over 40,000 bronze weapons, including swords, spears, billhooks, crossbows, and arrowheads. Although the soldiers are sculpted from clay, most of these weapons were made from bronze. Buried underground for more than 2,200 years, many of the weapons remain remarkably well-preserved; some even retain their sharp edges and shiny surfaces, showcasing the advanced metallurgical technology of the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 207 BC). 
 

Qin Bronze Sword

 

Short Weapons

1. Sword - A Long, Straight, Double-edged Blade

Currently, a total of 25 bronze swords have been discovered in the pits, typically measuring 80 to 95 cm (31 to 37 in) in length. Their willow-leaf shape, with a raised central ridge, gave them better thrusting ability compared to those of earlier dynasties. Remarkably, some swords remain largely free of corrosion and are still sharp today, thanks to a chromium-salt anti-rust treatment applied by Qin craftsmen. In addition, the uniform specifications and minimal signs of wear suggest that these weapons were taken directly from state arsenals and placed in the pits.
 

2. Billhook - With a Sideways-curving, Hook-shaped Blade

So far, two bronze billhooks have been unearthed. Popular during the Spring and Autumn period (770 - 476 BC), this weapon was designed for close combat, allowing the soldiers to hook, pull, or slash enemies. Shaped like a gently curved sickle, it was cast in one piece with a solid elliptical handle. The blade is relatively blunt and rounded at the tip, making it less effective at a distance. Historically, it was generally used in combination with long-range weapons.

 

Bronze Billhook

 

Long Weapons

3. Spear - Long Shaft with a Sharp, Straight, Pointed Head

The spear is one of the oldest and longest-used cold weapons in Chinese history. So far, five bronze spears have been unearthed from the pits, each 15 to 17 cm (6 to 7 in) long, with a flat and straight body, a prominent central ridge flanked by blood grooves. Their smooth, precisely made surfaces and sharp, dark edges indicate they were highly functional combat weapons, ideal for direct stabbing, poking, and picking at opponents.
 

Among the Terracotta Army pits, 16 bronze bayonets have been discovered. It is a formidable long-shafted weapon that evolved from the short sword, consisting of a sword-like bronze head mounted on a long wooden shaft, typically over 3 meters (10 feet) in length. The bronze head itself measures about 35 cm (14 in) long. In appearance, it resembles a short sword, with a sharp tip and wide base, and a distinctive six-sided, flat cross-section and sharpened edges on both sides. This dual-purpose design allowed it to be used effectively for powerful forward thrusting as well as for slashing or cutting attacks from the side.

Bronze Spear and Bayonets

Bronze Dagger-Axe

Qin Halberd, First from the Left

One bronze dagger-axe has been recovered from Pit 1. About 26 cm (10 in) long, it features a sideways-projecting blade mounted with a pole, which could be used to pierce like a spike or slash like a sickle, targeting unprotected areas such as the neck or limbs. While commonly used in combat during the Shang and Zhou periods, it remained in service during the Qin dynasty. Specifically, longer versions were used for chariot warfare and shorter ones for infantry.
 

The crossbow, developed from the traditional bow, was a powerful weapon. It comprised a wooden stock to ensure the arrows moved in a straight line, a flexible bamboo or wood bow, and a bronze trigger mechanism. The trigger assembly was the heart of its design, which allowed the archer to draw the string, lock it in place using a catch, and then take careful aim before releasing the shot with a simple press of a lever. This function means the archer did not need to hold the draw manually, showing a major advantage over traditional bows that significantly improved accuracy and reduced physical strain during combat.
 

Crossbow of Qin Army

Bronze Arowheads

Among all the weapons discovered in the pits, arrowheads are the most numerous finds, with nearly 40,000 examples unearthed. They were projectiles used with the crossbow, falling into two main categories based on size. Most have a streamlined three-sided pyramid shape to reduce air resistance and ensure stable and accurate flight. Some arrowheads were also equipped with sharp barbs designed to lodge firmly in targets, making them difficult to remove and increasing their effectiveness on the battlefield.
 

Qin Weapon Shu, Second from the Left

To date, a total of 31 bronze Shu have been found in Pit 1 and Pit 3. It's a blunt-edged weapon primarily used for striking and evolved from simple wooden clubs of primitive society. Featuring a cylindrical bronze head, approximately 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in) in diameter, it's topped with a conical tip about 10 cm (4 in) long. Without a sharp edge, this weapon could not be used to stab or slash effectively like other weapons. During the Spring and Autumn Period, it was largely ceremonial and saw limited use in actual combat.
 

Evolved from stone axes, the battleaxe has a broad blade. While capable of causing injury, its main role in the Qin military was ceremonial, representing power and royal authority rather than serving as a common combat tool.

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