The Eighth Wonder of the World: China’s Terracotta Warriors | NGV (2024)

FAQs

What is the 8th wonder of the world terracotta warriors? ›

Referred to as the eighth Wonder of the World, the original Terracotta Warriors date back to 209 B.C. and were found in 1974 by a worker digging a well. It is believed as many as 8,000 warriors exist, nestled in the grave among chariots, animals, entertainers and other clay representations of afterlife needs.

One of the greatest archaeological finds of the twentieth century, the terracotta warriors are often described as the eighth wonder of the world. NGV curator Wayne Crothers shares the story behind their discovery in 1974 and what these ancient artefacts tell us about Chinese history and culture.

The Terracotta Warriors are an amazing archaeological discovery. These warriors, made from baked clay, were constructed under the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. Emperor Qin had the army constructed outside his necropolis (large funeral complex) for protection and service in the afterlife.

In the first century B.C, King Antiochus I of Commagene built a sanctuary unlike any of his predecessors. His unexplored tomb at Nemrut Dağ may show us more about death and worship in ancient Turkey.

Poster image credits left to right: Great Pyramid of Giza (Egypt), Machu Picchu (Peru), Christ the Redeemer (Brazil), Taj Mahal (India), Colosseum (Italy), Petra (Jordan), Chichen Itza (Mexico) and Great Wall of China.

Ngorongoro has been dubbed by some as the eighth wonder of the world, and we think they're onto something! The Ngorongoro Conservation Area receives over half a million visitors annually.

Eighth Wonder of the World is an unofficial title sometimes given to new buildings, structures, projects, designs or even people that are deemed to be comparable to the seven Wonders of the World.

Angkor Wat is a large temple complex located in Cambodia which is world famous for its architectural style and its historical significance. The temple complex of Angkor Wat has recently been given the title of the 8th wonder of the world, beating Italy's Pompeii.

Terra cotta is a Latin word that means 'baked earth'. It is glazed or unglazed fired clay that is used to make earthenware articles such as pots, bricks, statuettes and for architectural purposes like roofing etc.

Answer and Explanation: No, the Terracotta Warriors were not buried alive, they were warriors made from clay. Although, before and during the time of construction of these figures some Kings and Emperors did bury people alive with them as human sacrifices.

How many terracotta warriors are still buried? ›

The figures include warriors, chariots and horses. Estimates from 2007 were that the three pits containing the Terracotta Army hold more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which remain in situ in the pits near Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum.

It was said that in the battle he killed a hundred enemies. Due to his excellent martial skills, soon he was chosen as the leader of the uprising and it was Xiang Yu who put an end to the Qin reign. Therefore, the experts focus their attention on Xiang Yu, that it was he who once set fire to the warriors.

These freshly unearthed terracotta warriors often had vividly coloured facial features, hair and clothing. But once the warriors are exposed to the environment, their paint would get dehydrated and peel off within minutes, leaving the naked clay beneath.

And this is where Albert Einstein comes into play. According to Einstein, “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it … he who doesn't … pays it.” At first this quote might seem like a bit of an exaggeration but the math behind it shows that it is not.

A terra-cotta army of more than 8,000 life-size soldiers guarded the burial site of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang Di. The Terra-Cotta Warriors were only discovered in 1974.

Since the discovery of the Terracotta Army, more than 2,000 warriors and horses have been excavated from three different burial pits with an estimated 6,000 still buried underground.

Though most of their hands are identical, and only eight molds were used to shape their heads, distinctive surface features were added with clay after assembly. As a result, each terra cotta soldier appears to be unique in its facial features, revealing a high level of craftsmanship and artistry.