When & Where were the Terracotta Warriors First Discovered?
Terracotta Warriors was discovered in Xi’an, China. This article tells you when the terracotta warriors first discovered, and where were that found.
When the Terracotta Warriors First Discovered?
The Terracotta Army was discovered in 1974. The relevant information is as follows:
March 1974 – First Discovered of Terracotta Warriors
In March 1974, the Terracotta Army was accidentally discovered by farmers digging a well in Xiyang Village, Shaanxi Province, located 1.5 kilometers east of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. On March 29, while digging, they uncovered a passage leading to the army and found fragments of terracotta figures, bronze arrowheads, and crossbow triggers. Unaware of their significance, the villagers initially used the fragments to scare away mice.
April 27, 1974 – Excavation of Terracotta Warriors Pit 1
On April 27, 1974, archaeologist Zhao Kangmin visited the site after learning about the discovery. He identified the fragments as part of a funerary pit containing terracotta warriors from the Qin Dynasty. Zhao took the remaining figures for preservation and reported his findings to higher authorities. The Central Government responded with great interest, leading to the formation of an archaeological team in July 1974 to conduct a rescue excavation of Pit 1.
1976 – Discovery of Terracotta Warriors Pit 3
By 1976, the team discovered Pit 2 northeast of Pit 1 and later found Pit 3 in May of the same year. Prior to these major discoveries, there were sporadic finds in the area; for instance, in 1932 and 1948, villagers had unearthed kneeling terracotta figures, but these earlier discoveries did not attract significant attention. The full scale of the Terracotta Army remained hidden until the large-scale excavation began in 1974.
Where were Terracotta Warriors Discovered?
The Terracotta Army was discovered in 1974, 1.5 kilometers east of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in Lintong District, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province.
- Terracotta Warriors Pit 1- Discovered in Xiyang Village
In March 1974, while digging a well to combat drought, villagers in Xiyang Village unearthed fragments of terracotta figures. After over a year of archaeological exploration, it was confirmed to be a large burial pit, now known as Pit 1.
- Terracotta Warriors Pit 2- East End of Pit 1, North side
In April 1976, Pit 2 was discovered 20 meters north of the eastern end of Pit 1.
- Terracotta Warriors Pit 3 – Northwest Corner of Pit 1
Pit 3: In May 1976, Pit 3 was found 25 meters north of the western end of Pit 1.