Season 28, Day 7 - "You and What Army?"

It's Sculpture week, and today's quiz is inspired by the Terracotta Army.

Terracotta Army

The Terracotta Army is a collection of terracotta (reddish-brown clay, Italian for “baked earth”) sculptures representing the armies of the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang (a.k.a. Shi Huangdi). Founder of the Qin dynasty, Qin Shi Huang was buried with the Terracotta Army in 210 B.C. for protection in the afterlife. The army faces east, in the direction of the emperor’s enemies. Discovered by farmers near Xi’an, China in 1974, the Terracotta Army consists of over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots (with 4 horses each), and 150 additional cavalry horses. The figures are life-sized, with the warriors ranging from about 5’9” (175 cm) to 6’7” (200 cm) in height. They were originally painted and held actual weapons, increasing their realism. Collections from the army have been exhibited around the world, and it’s been said that along with the wreck of the Titanic, the Terracotta Army is one of the few set of artifacts that can draw a crowd by its name alone. Much of the site, including the emperor’s tomb itself, remains unexcavated due to preservation concerns and potential safety hazards. The discovery of an additional 200 soldiers was announced in 2020.