Description
Undoubtedly the most spectacular tomb find in the whole history of modern archaeology, surpassing even the finds of that of Tutankhamun, was made in 1974 at Mount Li in the northern Chinese province of Shensi. This was the discovery of the buried army of over 7,000 life-size terracotta soldiers, guarding the grave mound of the First Emperor of China, Ch'in Shih-huang-ti. Excavation of the pits so far has revealed rows upon rows of infantry, crossbowmen, chariots and cavalry, all lined up in battle formation, an army so massive that over 700,000 labourers were needed to construct it.
Arthur Cotterell has just returned from China, where he visited the tomb of the First Emperor at Mount Li and the ruins of the Ch'in imperial capital at nearby Hsienyang. During his stay as an official guest of the Chinese authorities, he discussed with historians and archaeologists their view of the enigmatic First Emperor. No Chinese ruler arouses more controversy than the Builder of the Great Wall and the Burner of the Books. His impact on East Asian history was tremendous and his short- lived dynasty laid the foundation of a political system that lasted from 221 BC to AD 1912, with only minor interruptions.
ISBN:0333324447
