What is the Qin tomb?

The Qin tomb is a significant Chinese archaeological site located near Xi'an, Shaanxi province. It is the burial place of Qin Shi Huang , the first emperor of the Qin dynasty (221–207 BCE). Construction of the 20-square-mile funerary compound began during his reign. Discovered in 1974 by farmers, the site contains an army of approximately 8,000 life-size terra-cotta soldiers , horses, chariots, and various artifacts. The compound also includes the remains of humans, a stable with horse skeletons, bronze chariots, burial sites, and a zoo for exotic animals. The tomb itself remains unexcavated and is believed to be a vast underground palace. The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987, and archaeological excavations are ongoing.

Where is the Qin tomb located in China?

The Qin tomb , a major Chinese archaeological site, is located near the city of Xi’an, in Shaanxi province, China, which is near the ancient capital city of Chang’an. It is the burial place of China's first emperor, Shihuangdi of the Qin dynasty (221–207 BCE). Construction of the 20-square-mile funerary compound began when he unified the empire and started building the Great Wall of China. The treasures of the tomb began to come to light about 2,100 years after his death. In 1987, the compound was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Archaeological excavations have continued into the 21st century, and archaeologists anticipate that it will take years to unearth the entire tomb complex.

What famous discovery was found near the Qin tomb?

The most famous discovery near the Qin tomb is the terra-cotta army , found in March 1974 by farmers drilling a well. The subterranean chamber held approximately 8,000 life-size terra-cotta soldiers and horses, along with chariots, weapons, and other artifacts. The terra-cotta figures were arranged in a military formation and once painted with mineral colors. Three nearby chambers contained more than 1,300 ceramic figures, 68 members of a command unit, and one empty chamber. The compound, including the Qin tomb, became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

Why is the Terracotta Army important to historians?

The Terracotta Army is an important archaeological discovery within the Qin tomb , the burial place of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang (221–207 BCE). Discovered in 1974, the army consists of approximately 8,000 life-size terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots, buried to guard the emperor in the afterlife. The Terracotta Army provides invaluable insights into the Qin dynasty's military organization, technology, and artistic skill. Each soldier has unique facial features, clothing, and weapons, demonstrating the individuality and realism pursued by Qin artisans. The army reflects the emperor's power and ambition, as well as the belief that the afterlife mirrored earthly existence. The Qin tomb was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

What have archaeologists learned from studying the Qin tomb and its artifacts?

Archaeologists have gleaned significant insights from the Qin tomb near Xi'an. Discovered in 1974, the terra-cotta army includes around 8,000 life-size soldiers and horses, along with chariots and weapons, revealing Qin military organization and technology. Excavations have also unearthed human remains, horse skeletons, bronze chariots, and burial sites, enriching our understanding of the Qin Dynasty. The tomb itself, though unexcavated, is believed to be a vast underground palace. These discoveries highlight the dynasty's architectural and artistic achievements, including the sculpting of the terra-cotta army.

Qin tomb

Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

Qin tomb: terra-cotta soldiers and horses

Terra-cotta soldiers in the tomb of the Qin emperor Shihuangdi, near Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China.

At a Glance

Qin tomb summary

Quick Facts

Wade-Giles romanization:: Ch’in

Also called:: Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor

Related Topics:: archaeology; terra-cotta army; burial place

Related Places:: Xi’an; China; Shaanxi

See all related content

Qin tomb

Q: Who was buried in the Qin tomb?

The Qin tomb is the burial place of Qin Shi Huang , the first emperor of the Qin dynasty (221–207 BCE). The tomb itself remains unexcavated but is said to be a vast underground palace. Historian Sima Qian wrote that the tomb was filled with fine vessels, precious stones, rarities, and mechanically triggered crossbows set to shoot any intruder. Aside from the emperor, the remains of seven humans, possibly the emperor’s children, have been found in pits nearby. Other discoveries include a subterranean stable filled with horse skeletons, 70 individual burial sites, and a zoo for exotic animals. In March 1974, farmers discovered an army of about 8,000 life-size, terra-cotta soldiers and horses, along with chariots and weapons, guarding the tomb from the emperor’s former adversaries.

archaeological site, China

Also known as: Ch’in tomb, Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor(Show More)

Written and fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

History

Top Questions

What is the Qin tomb?
The Qin tomb is a significant Chinese archaeological site located near Xi'an, Shaanxi province. It is the burial place of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin dynasty (221–207 BCE).

Construction of the 20-square-mile funerary compound began during his reign. Discovered in 1974 by farmers, the site contains an army of approximately 8,000 life-size terra-cotta soldiers, horses, chariots, and various artifacts. The compound also includes the remains of humans, a stable with horse skeletons, bronze chariots, burial sites, and a zoo for exotic animals. The tomb itself remains unexcavated and is believed to be a vast underground palace. The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987, and archaeological excavations are ongoing.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Where is the Qin tomb located in China?
The Qin tomb, a major Chinese archaeological site, is located near the city of Xi’an, in Shaanxi province, China, which is near the ancient capital city of Chang’an. It is the burial place of China's first emperor, Shihuangdi of the Qin dynasty (221–207 BCE). Construction of the 20-square-mile funerary compound began when he unified the empire and started building the Great Wall of China. The treasures of the tomb began to come to light about 2,100 years after his death.

In 1987, the compound was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Archaeological excavations have continued into the 21st century, and archaeologists anticipate that it will take years to unearth the entire tomb complex.
1 Britannica Source
1. Qin tomb
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Who was buried in the Qin tomb?
The Qin tomb is the burial place of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin dynasty (221–207 BCE). The tomb itself remains unexcavated but is said to be a vast underground palace. Historian Sima Qian wrote that the tomb was filled with fine vessels, precious stones, rarities, and mechanically triggered crossbows set to shoot any intruder.

Aside from the emperor, the remains of seven humans, possibly the emperor’s children, have been found in pits nearby. Other discoveries include a subterranean stable filled with horse skeletons, 70 individual burial sites, and a zoo for exotic animals. In March 1974, farmers discovered an army of about 8,000 life-size, terra-cotta soldiers and horses, along with chariots and weapons, guarding the tomb from the emperor’s former adversaries.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What famous discovery was found near the Qin tomb?
The most famous discovery near the Qin tomb is the terra-cotta army, found in March 1974 by farmers drilling a well. The subterranean chamber held approximately 8,000 life-size terra-cotta soldiers and horses, along with chariots, weapons, and other artifacts.

The terra-cotta figures were arranged in a military formation and once painted with mineral colors. Three nearby chambers contained more than 1,300 ceramic figures, 68 members of a command unit, and one empty chamber. The compound, including the Qin tomb, became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Why is the Terracotta Army important to historians?
The Terracotta Army is an important archaeological discovery within the Qin tomb, the burial place of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang (221–207 BCE). Discovered in 1974, the army consists of approximately 8,000 life-size terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots, buried to guard the emperor in the afterlife.

The Terracotta Army provides invaluable insights into the Qin dynasty's military organization, technology, and artistic skill. Each soldier has unique facial features, clothing, and weapons, demonstrating the individuality and realism pursued by Qin artisans. The army reflects the emperor's power and ambition, as well as the belief that the afterlife mirrored earthly existence. The Qin tomb was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What have archaeologists learned from studying the Qin tomb and its artifacts?
Archaeologists have gleaned significant insights from the Qin tomb near Xi'an. Discovered in 1974, the terra-cotta army includes around 8,000 life-size soldiers and horses, along with chariots and weapons, revealing Qin military organization and technology.

Excavations have also unearthed human remains, horse skeletons, bronze chariots, and burial sites, enriching our understanding of the Qin Dynasty. The tomb itself, though unexcavated, is believed to be a vast underground palace. These discoveries highlight the dynasty's architectural and artistic achievements, including the sculpting of the terra-cotta army.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Qin tomb, major Chinese archaeological site near the ancient capital city of Chang’an, Shaanxi sheng (province), China, now near the modern city of Xi’an. It is the burial place of the first sovereign emperor, Shihuangdi of the Qin dynasty (221–207 bce), who unified the empire, began construction of the Great Wall of China, and prepared for death by constructing a 20-square-mile (50-square-km) funerary compound, the treasures of which began to come to light only some 2,100 years after his death.

In March 1974 a work brigade of farmers drilling a well discovered a subterranean chamber that archaeologists later found contained an army of some 8,000 life-size, terra-cotta soldiers (assembled from separately fired sections but given individually detailed faces) and horses, along with richly adorned chariots of wood (now disintegrated) and of bronze; iron farm implements; bronze and leather bridles; objects of silk, linen, jade, and bone; and such weapons as bows and arrows, spears, and swords, cast from an unusual 13-element alloy, which are still shiny and sharp today. The terra-cotta figures, once brightly painted with mineral colours, were grouped into a specific military formation—a configuration of vanguard bowmen and crossbowmen, outer files of archers, groups of infantrymen and charioteers, and an armoured rear guard—that followed the military prescriptions of the time. Three nearby chambers—one holding more than 1,300 ceramic figures representing a smaller, complementary force of foot soldiers, chariots, and cavalry, one with 68 members of what probably represents an elite command unit, and one that is empty—were also discovered in the 1970s. Buried above and around many of the broken figures are the remnants of timber roofing, which may have collapsed because of a fire shortly after the emperor’s death. These four so-called Xi’an digs are covered with protective roofing and, even as the archaeologists’ work proceeds, serve as the unique in-site Museum of Qin Figures; a new exhibit hall was opened above one of the pits in 1994.

The buried army faces east, poised for battle, about three-quarters of a mile from the outer wall of the tomb proper, guarding it from Shihuangdi’s chief former adversaries, who had come from that direction. In pits nearby have been found the remains of seven humans (possibly the emperor’s children), a subterranean stable filled with horse skeletons, an assemblage of half-size bronze chariots, 70 individual burial sites, a zoo for exotic animals, and other artifacts.

By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Temple ruins of columns and statures at Karnak, Egypt (Egyptian architecture; Egyptian archaelogy; Egyptian history)

Britannica Quiz

History Buff Quiz

The tomb itself, which may have been looted shortly after its completion, remains unexcavated. It lies within an inner wall and beneath a four-sided pyramid mound that was originally landscaped to appear as a low, wooded mountain. The interior is reputedly a vast underground palace that took about 700,000 conscripted workmen more than 36 years to complete. The historian Sima Qian (c. 145–c. 87 bce) wrote:

The labourers dug through three subterranean streams, which they sealed off with bronze to construct the burial chamber. They built models of palaces, pavilions, and offices and filled the tomb with fine vessels, precious stones, and rarities. Artisans were ordered to install mechanically triggered crossbows set to shoot any intruder. With quicksilver the various waterways of the empire, the Yangtze and Yellow rivers, and even the great ocean itself were created and made to flow and circulate mechanically. With shining pearls the heavenly constellations were depicted above, and with figures of birds in gold and silver and of pine trees carved of jade the earth was laid out below. Lamps were fueled with whale oil so that they might burn for the longest possible time.

The compound was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. Archaeological excavations on the site continued into the 21st century, and archaeologists anticipated that it would take years to unearth the entire tomb complex.

The region surrounding the Qin tomb holds the mausoleums of several other ancient Chinese rulers, including those of Taizong, second emperor (626–649 ce) of the Tang dynasty, and the Han emperor Wudi (141–87 bce).

Explore Britannica Premium!

The trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners.