The main reason for being here in Xian is obviously to seeone of the wonders of the world, the Terrocotta Warriors. They have only recently been discovered, back in the 70's, by a farmer who was digging a well. The amazing dicovery was of a buried army.
The first Quin Emperior who was the first to unite China under one ruler conducted a 700,000 workforce to build his tomb which took longer than his reign to create, 40yrs! The Emprior beleived that his rule would continue in the after life where he would be able to control from beyond. He had a whole army made out of Terracotta put together and buried around his tomb, at his comand.
The tombs are still under excavation which is actualy pretty nice to see, see how it is originaly. The soliders look pretty fake when you first walk into the "Pit" and they are all lined up in situe. They are all life size with weapons and individually carved faces and postures.
So far they have unearthed near on 8000 warriors which is no mean feat as when the Quin dynasty fell an army of barbarions went into the tombs and destroyed the warriors leaving them in peices for the archiologists to piece back together! What a job!
Have to go now but will finish this in the morning! sleeps a calling xxx
