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Why are the terra-cotta warriors preserved on-site near the tomb of Qin Shihuangdi?
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Interior of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
The terra-cotta warriors are preserved on-site near the tomb of Qin Shihuangdi because the excavation pits themselves serve as a unique in-site museum.12
By covering the archaeological digs with protective roofing, authorities have created a space where the figures remain in their original military formation, allowing visitors to view the army as it was discovered. This approach preserves the integrity of the archaeological site, which is part of a larger UNESCO World Heritage site that continues to be unearthed. Maintaining the figures in their original context provides critical insight into the emperor's funerary complex, which was designed to replicate his life on earth and protect his necropolis.123