Were the Terracotta Warriors Made of Real Human Beings?
Why Did the Rumor that Terracotta Warriors Were Made of Real Humans Start?
1. In ancient times, especially before the Terracotta Army was built, it was a practice among some wealthy or noble families to bury living servants with the deceased. This was done with the belief that the servants would continue their service in the afterlife.
2. The terracotta warriors are incredibly lifelike. Each figure has unique facial features and expressions, a level of craftsmanship so remarkable that it was hard to believe they could have been created by ancient artisans, leading some to speculate that they were actually made of real people.
3. Emperor Qin Shihuang (259 BC - 210 BC), the first emperor of China, was known for his severity, exemplified by his order to bury scholars alive. This reputation for cruelty made the idea of using humans to create the terracotta army seem plausible to some people.
Read more: 3 Mistaken Reports of Terracotta Warriors’ Returning to Life
Why Were the Terracotta Warriors Not Made of Real Human Beings?
1. No Human Remains Found Inside the Terracotta Warrior Figures
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| Broken Warriors Being Hollow Inside |
The most direct evidence comes from archaeological examinations. If real humans had been used, skeletal fragments would likely have survived to today. However, experts have scanned broken warriors and found them to be hollow inside, containing only air with no traces of human bones or organic remains.
2. Human Sacrifice Was Fading Out During Qin Shihuang's Reign
The state of Qin had officially abolished the merciless practice of large-scale human sacrifice well before the Terracotta Army was built. Using terracotta warrior figures instead of live soldiers was actually a progressive step, reflecting Qin Shihuang's pragmatic leadership: it honored the tradition of providing for the afterlife while preserving valuable human resources.
3. The Population Was Precious at That Time
To defeat the other states and unify the country, continuous wars kept occurring, resulting in a sharp decline in the population. With the national population much smaller than today's, manpower, especially soldiers, was an extremely valuable asset for the state. Burying over 8,000 soldiers alive would have been counterproductive and weakened the state's foundation. A ruler as strategic as Emperor Qin Shihuang, who desired a lasting dynasty, would not have squandered his military strength in such a way.
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| Thousands of Terracotta Warriors in Pit 1 |
4. Impracticality of Using Real Humans
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What Were the Terracotta Warriors Actually Made of?
The primary material used to make terracotta warrior figures was local yellow clay sourced from the northern foot of Mount Li, not far from Qin Shihuang's mausoleum. To improve the clay's durability and suitability for creating large terracotta warrior figures, quartz, mica, and feldspar grit were also incorporated into the clay.
Further Reading: How were Terracotta Warriors Made? Let's Smash the 5 Rumors of the Terracotta Army Who Built the Terracotta Warriors? Why Was the Terracotta Army Built? How Many Terracotta Warriors Are There in the Terracotta Army? What Is the Terracotta Army? 10 Things You Should Know How to Visit Terracotta Army - A Perfect One-Day Tour Plan
