Lovin' the color at Mindoro Beach, near Vigan in the Philippines #vigan #vigancity #wheninilocos #ilocos #beachlife🌴 #beach #philippines #boatlife #travelphotography #travelgram #picoftheday #travelasia #natgeoyourshot #wunderlust #madisonphotographymeetup

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Filling the spice sack. Fort Cochin, Kerala, India #portraitphotography #bestportraitgallery #humanityshots #life_portraits #desiframes #portrait_perfection #portrait_shots #portraiture #fivestars_people #portrait #kings_third_age #portraits_ig #incredibleindiaofficial #india_clicks #indianphotography #indianshutterbugs #incredibleindia #streetsofindia #streetphotographyindia #ig_humanity #kerala #keralagodsowncountry

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Arched and round gates in Shaxi, Yunnan #china🇨🇳 #chinatravel #yunnan #chinagram #architecturephotography #architecture #asiaphotography #shaxi #gates #blackandwhite #arches #through_the_travel_lens #igersbnw #natgeoyourshot #wunderlust #igworld_global #UNESCO #madisonphotographymeetup

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In the meadows of Ravna Gora, a Serb proudly celebrates the beloved "Uncle" Dragoljub “Draža” Mihailović, commander of the Chetnik royal resistance movement. It was here that Mihailović and his Chetnik followers gathered and pronounced the beginning of the uprising against the Germans on May 13, 1941. In recognition for his contributions to the Allied victory including rescuing hundreds of downed US airmen, Truman awarded Mihailović the Legion of Merit Award. #serbia #visitserbia #chetniks #wwii #wwiihistory #mokragora #natgeoyourshot #wunderlust #madisonphotographymeetup #fivestars_people #portrait #portraits_ig #ig_humanity #kings_third_age

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Learning the Trade. Fishing on Lake Pulikat. Tamil Nadu, India #incredibleindiaofficial #india_clicks #indianphotography #indianshutterbugs #incredibleindia #travelasia #natgeoyourshot #wunderlust #streetphotographyindia #yourshot_india #photographers_of_india #travelrealindia #india_undiscovered #i_p_p #madisonphotographymeetup #tamilnadu #boat #boatlife #fishing #fishinglife#boatlife #fishing #fishinglife #fivestars_people #portrait #portraits_ig #ig_humanity

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Beautiful ending to a georgous day. Ngapali Beach, Myanmar #sunset #sunset_madness #ngapali #myanmar #travelphotography #sunset #travelgram #picoftheday #ngapalibeach #beach #travelasia #natgeoyourshot #wunderlust #madisonphotographymeetup #bayofbengal

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My most recent artwork: Yi Woman with Basket and Child, Lashi village, Yunnan, China. Pastels on PastelMat paper. #pastel #art #artistsoninstagram #artwork #artworks #artcollective #portraitpainting #portraiture #portraitdrawing #originalart #originalartwork #chinagram #china🇨🇳 #chinatravel #yunnan

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Nativity Church at the Rila Monastery. It is well worth your trip to visit this 10th century Eastern Orthodox monastery in rural Bulgaria, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. #bulgaria #rilamonastery #monastery #easterneurope #christanity #architecture #arches #frescoes #blackandwhite #through_the_travel_lens #igersbnw #natgeoyourshot #wunderlust #igworld_global #UNESCO #madisonphotographymeetup

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Elderly woman with purple outfit and henna hair, Thar Desert - near Jaisalmer, India #portraitphotography #bestportraitgallery #humanityshots #life_portraits #desiframes #portrait_perfection #portrait_shots #portraiture #fivestars_people #portrait #kings_third_age #portraits_ig #incredibleindiaofficial #india_clicks #indianphotography #indianshutterbugs #incredibleindia #streetsofindia #streetphotographyindia #ig_humanity #jaisalmer #rajasthaniculture #madisonphotographymeetup

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A Chennai woman creates a lotus kolam as a contenstant in Mylapore's annual kolam contest. #portraitphotography #bestportraitgallery #humanityshots #life_portraits #desiframes #portrait_perfection #portrait_shots #chennai #kolam #indiafestival #tamilnadutourism #portraiture #fivestars_people #portrait #portraits_ig #incredibleindiaofficial #india_clicks #indianphotography #indianshutterbugs #incredibleindia #streetsofindia #streetphotographyindia #ig_humanity #madisonphotographymeetup

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Guangren Tibetan Buddhist Temple in winter. Xi'an, China. #xian #oldxian #china🇨🇳 #chinatravel #shaanxi #buddhism #shaanxiprovince #chinagram #visit_shaanxi #architecturephotography #architecture #asiaphotography #winter❄️ #madisonphotographymeetup

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Ready to enjoy some sledriding at Gulmarg, Kashmir on one of these old wooden sleds? #winter❄️ #winterfun #kashmir #kashmirtourism #kashmirlife #incredibleindiaofficial #india_clicks #indianphotography #indianshutterbugs #incredibleindia #streetsofindia #streetphotographyindia #desiframes #natgeotravel #sledding #madisonphotographymeetup

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Terracotta Warriors - Bronze Chariots and Weapons

Clay figures were not the only thing present in the pits. Encased in large wooden coffins were two bronze chariots of remarkable state of preservation, discovered in 1980. Both bronze chariots, each led by four bronze horses, are now in on display in the Exhibition Hall. 

Chariot #2

About half life-size, the chariots are thought to be for Emperor Qin as he toured around in the afterlife. Each of the chariots had over 3,000 accessories. The one known as Chariot #2 has separate back and front rows, with the empty back row reserved for the emperor. A replica of both chariots can be seen at the Shaanxi History Musuem in Xi'an.

Over 40,000 bronze weapons were recovered from the pits where the Terracotta Warriors were buried. These were not just simulated weapons, but ones that were fully functional. Weapons included over 37,000 arrowheads,  as well as spears, swords, daggers, crossbows, battle axes, bayonets, and more unique ancient types.  

Despite being over 2,200 years old, the weapons were still sharp. These military-grade state-of-the-art weapons were also never used, indicating that they were made just for the Terracotta army. 

Reconstructed crossbow with mechanism from the burial pit

When studying the crossbow triggers, researchers determined that the parts were very uniform, made in molds and in small batches. Assembly of the standardized, five interlocking parts happened in small workshops – not in large assembly lines. The crossbows are capable of piercing modern armor and kill with a single strike. Read more about the weapons in this article.

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Jaisalmer man with pink turban. Rajasthan, India #portraitphotography #bestportraitgallery #humanityshots #life_portraits #desiframes #portrait_perfection #portrait_shots #portraiture #fivestars_people #portrait #portraits_ig #incredibleindiaofficial #india_clicks #indianphotography #indianshutterbugs #incredibleindia #streetsofindia #streetphotographyindia #ig_humanity #jaisalmer #rajasthaniculture #madisonphotographymeetup

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Enjoying a bidi on the wall. Jaipur, India #portraitphotography #bestportraitgallery #humanityshots #life_portraits #portrait_perfection #portrait_shots #portraiture #fivestars_people #portrait #portraits_ig #incredibleindiaofficial #desiframes #rajasthaniculture #jaipurlove #india_clicks #indianphotography #indianshutterbugs #incredibleindia #streetsofindia #streetphotographyindia #ig_humanity #madisonphotographymeetup

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Smiling elderly Yi woman in the Yunnan village of Lashi #bestportraitphoto #natgeohumanity #humanity_shots #portrait_shots #people_infinity #bestportraitgallery #yunnan #kings_third_age #blackandwhite #travelphotography #china #lijiang #portraitphotography #humanityshots #life_portraits #china🇨🇳 #chinatravel #chinagram #portrait_perfection #natgeoyourshot #fivestars_people #portrait #portraits_ig #ig_humanity #madisonphotographymeetup

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Beautiful hummingbird lantern fluttering through the bright illumninated flowers on Xi'an's City Wall. #xian #oldxian #china🇨🇳 #chinatravel #shaanxi #shaanxiprovince #chinagram #visit_shaanxi #chinesenewyear2019 #lanternfestival #asiaphotography #natgeo #natgeotravel #unescoworldheritage #xiancitywall #olympusem5mii #nightphotography #hummingbird

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Visiting the Xi'an City Wall during the Lantern Festival at dusk - triple bonus! #xian #oldxian #china🇨🇳 #chinatravel #shaanxi #shaanxiprovince #chinagram #visit_shaanxi #chinesenewyear2019 #lanternfestival #asiaphotography #natgeo #natgeotravel #unescoworldheritage #xiancitywall #olympusem5mii #nightphotography #dragon #madisonphotographymeetup

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Illuminated Tang-style architecture reflected on the lake within Tang Paradise Park. What a beautiful place to view the Chinese New Year lantern festival! #xian #oldxian #china🇨🇳 #chinatravel #shaanxi #shaanxiprovince #chinagram #visit_shaanxi #chinesenewyear2019 #lanternfestival #architecturephotography #architecture #asiaphotography #nightphotography #reflections #madisonphotographymeetup

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#portraitphotography #bestportraitgallery #humanityshots #life_portraits #xian #oldxian #china🇨🇳 #chinatravel #shaanxi #shaanxiprovince #chinagram #visit_shaanxi #portrait_perfection #portrait_shots #chinesenewyear2019 #lanternfestival #calligraphy #portraiture #fivestars_people #portrait #portraits_ig #ig_humanity #madisonphotographymeetup

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Terra Cotta Warriors - Other Pits

Although the building of Pit One is by far the largest one in terms of dimension and number of figures, there were two other pits next to Pit One and a few others at the mausoleum site.

Chariot Drivers and horses

Some figures were in an excellent state of preservation. In other sections, only pieces could be found. Pit Three was small, but the high-ranking figures there were particularly well preserved. Of note, this was the only pit that didn't suffer from burning. I especially liked the imprint of the chariot wheel, still present even though the wood has long since been destroyed by fire and/or decay.

Horse and soldier pieces, chariot wheel imprint

More work needs to be done!

Variety of figures in a pit near Mausoleum

Kneeling Archer

Another highlight for me was seeing some of the figures close up. Placed under glass, these displayed sculptures could be viewed 360°. 

Backside of kneeling soldier (detail)

Some of the paint in the back of the soldier was still visible. I was amazed at how the soles of the soldier's shoes were even imprinted with textured patterns. I looked for the artist's signature on this piece and other sculptures but could not find it. 

Color still showing on a fragment

From my art history class, I knew that the warriors and horses were painted. Prior to watching a video, I wasn't aware of how saturated the colors originally were. The photo above shows a slightly muted version of the original colors. Upon excavation, most of any remaining color faded almost immediately. One website said that the lacquer under the pigments oxidized and curled within 15 seconds of exposure to air and peeled off within four minutes! The purple color, known as Han Purple is of particular interest. Known as one of the earliest synthetic colors, it now is being explored in building quantum computers.

Standing Archer

Detail of mid-ranking archer

Detail of beautifully formed hands of a high-ranking officer

Other posts on the Terra Cotta Warriors:
A Visit to the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum - Part One
Pit One Terra Cotta Warriors (continued)
Pit One Hospital

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When on a tour, I saw some people drying fish alongside (and on) the road near the harbor in Vizag. When the tour ended, I went back there. Yes, the smell of fish was quite overpowering, but I didn’t care. What I saw were “real” people with wizened faces, triple-pierced noses, and scarves amidst large piles and baskets of dried fish. The scene was a bustle of activity, people laboring much the way they probably did a hundred years ago. #portraitphotography #bestportraitgallery #humanityshots #life_portraits #portrait_perfection #portrait_shots #fisherwoman #andhrapradesh#humandsofandhra #desiframes #portraiture #fivestars_people #portrait #portraits_ig #i#prettyinpink #incredibleindiaofficial #india_clicks #indianphotography #indianshutterbugs #incredibleindia #streetsofindia #streetphotographyindia #ig_humanity #madisonphotographymeetup

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Woman in PInk sari at Gingee Fort. Tamil Nadu, India #portraitphotography #bestportraitgallery #humanityshots #life_portraits #portrait_perfection #portrait_shots #enchantingtamilnadu #portraiture #fivestars_people #portrait #portraits_ig #streetsoftamilnadu #prettyinpink #incredibleindiaofficial #india_clicks #indianphotography #indianshutterbugs #incredibleindia #streetsofindia #streetphotographyindia #ig_humanity #madisonphotographymeetup

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Pink-veiled girl in front of her mud hut in the Thar Desert near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India #portraitphotography #bestportraitgallery #humanityshots #life_portraits #portrait_perfection #portrait_shots #rajasthani #portraiture #fivestars_people #portrait #portraits_ig #colours_of_rajasthan #prettyinpink #rajasthani_culture_lovers #incredibleindiaofficial #india_clicks #indianphotography #indianshutterbugs #incredibleindia #streetsofindia #streetphotographyindia #ig_humanity #madisonphotographymeetup

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A massive illuminated dragon swims in the most of Xi’an’s City Wall in celebration of Chinese New Year

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#portraitphotography #bestportraitgallery #humanityshots #life_portraits #portrait_perfection #fivestars_people #portraits #blackandwhite #xian #oldxian #china🇨🇳 #chinatravel #shaanxi #shaanxiprovince #pagoda #buddhism #chinagram #visit_shaanxi

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There’ a dragon in the moat! Happy Chinese New Year @Xian CityWall

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Terra Cotta Warriors - Pit One Hospital

Tagged pieces of warriors

As I walked towards the back, the number of intact figures diminished. Some areas were unexcavated. In other areas, tags indicated individual pieces of soldiers.

Amputees with plastic wrap "facials"

In the back was a "hospital" of sorts. Here, one could see figures being restored. Some had plastic wrap over various body parts including the face, which looked like a facial.

Soldiers bound up for reconstruction

Others with more serious reconstruction needs were tightly bound. Virtually all of the standing soldiers had to be reconstructed. Many of the kneeling archers miraculously survived intact, due to their lower to the ground placement and triangular poses.

Horses and figures in reconstruction

Even the horses could be seen in this "hospital" area receiving reconstruction.

Working area

In this area were several rows of desks where workers could so restoration and research. On one desk I saw tiny pieces. What laborious work that must be to make sense of those pieces and recreate accurate figures! I wondered how much it cost to restore an especially damaged figure.

Other Posts on the Terra Cotta Warriors
A Visit to the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum - Part One
Pit One Terra Cotta Warriors (continued)
Terra Cotta Warriors - Other Pits

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