China: Terracotta and Warriors 2

Back to China again. Once more for the Terracotta Warriors. Last time we looked at Pit #1, this time it's Pit #3 and #2 in that order. #3 is the smallest one. It contained what was a command group for the army. Officers, generals, guards. In a typical arrangement. Pit #2 was the cavalry and archers. This pit isn't as heavily excavated as Pit #1. There are a few examples of what is to be expected in the rest of the area, but they are leaving it alone for the moment. As well there were two 1/3 scale bronze pieces. One a commander chariot with umbrella, and a tortise carriage, which is surmised to be the funeral carriage. Fascinating place to see. Pictures don't really do the whole complex justice.

First though, a panoramic shot I pieced together of Pit #1, just to get you into the concept of the size of part of the place.



Now onto the rest.






























I apologize for the quality of some of the pictures. It was really dark, and you aren't allowed tripods in this museum. Otherwise you could take some real stunning pictures in there.

Lastly, the cherry trees were in full bloom around the museum. It added to the area. We ate lunch in a nearby restaraunt that is owned by the family of the farmer that discovered the soldiers originally. And the final picture is of the tomb mound, Mount Li, of the emperor.








Enjoy.

China: Terracotta and Warriors

Sorry about no posting yesterday. Got distracted by something in real life. As the case may be. Anyway, where were we? Oh yes, wandering around Xian with our tour guide. After Banpo village we made a short stop at a terracotta factory where they made all sorts and sizes of Terracotta Warrior statues. As well they made some other things like cups, dishes, and other figures. I learned a couple of things incidently. Like the clay used for white porcelain was naturally black, and changed it's colour to a whitish when fired in a kiln. After we looked around the factory it was off to the crowning jewel in the trip to China and Xian. The Terracotta Warriors, trust me the displays that go on world tours is a mere pittance to what you actually see at the main site.