How Long it Took to Build Terracotta Warriors?
Most experts agree on a nearly 40-year timeline of building the Terracotta Warriors, from around 247 BC or 246 BC to 208 BC. Some suggest it may have been completed in as little as 10 years. The Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, one of the most iconic archaeological discoveries in history, took a significant amount of time to construct by Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China.
Answer 1: It took nearly 40 years to build the Terracotta Warriors.
- Some historians believe it took nearly 40 years to build the Terracotta
The Construction of Terracotta Warriors started as soon as emperor Qinshihuang succeed the throne at his 13. According to historical record, over 720,000 workers were involved in building this massive army of life-sized Terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots to guard his tomb in the afterlife.
Meanwhile, the construction faced numerous challenges, including natural disasters and political upheaval. Flooding has been documented at the site, which likely delayed progress and damaged some figures. As Qin Shi Huang’s rule continued, a peasant uprising forced laborers to leave construction work for military campaigns. This made the timeline even more complicated.
Answer 2: Some suggest that building of Terracotta Warriors may have started later and taken about 10 years.
- Some historians suggest it started later than 247 BC and taken about 10 years, particularly from 221 BC to 209 BC, during the reign of emperor Qin Shi Huang.
Some experts propose a shorter timeline for the creation of the Terracotta Warriors. They argue that the building of Terracotta Warriors may have started later, around 221 BC, when Qin Shi Huang unified China. According to this theory, the construction of the Terracotta Warriors lasted until 209 BC, just before a peasant uprising disrupted further work.
This shorter time frame is based on evidence of rushed construction of the terracotta warriors toward the end of Qin Shi Huang’s reign. The rebellion diverted resources and labor away from completing the terracotta warriors mausoleum complex.
The exact duration of the Terracotta Warriors’ crafting remains debated among experts. Most agree it took nearly 40 years due to its scale and craftsmanship, but some suggest it may have been completed in just 10 years due to historical events. Regardless of the timeline, this extraordinary achievement continues to fascinate visitors from around the world. Understanding these timelines of the Terracotta Warriors not only sheds light on ancient Chinese history but also emphasizes the remarkable effort put forth by countless laborers over centuries.