Exercise 2A, page 98.0:02
In 1974, a group of farmers in China were digging a well when they uncovered something strange.0:21
A life size statue of a soldier standing ready for battle.0:28
When the area was excavated later by archaeologists, one of the most incredible archaeological finds in history was revealed.0:33
A whole army of terracotta soldiers that have been undisturbed for over 2000 years.0:40
These statues were made to guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China.0:48
In ancient China, the dead were buried with their possessions because people believed that they could be taken into the afterlife with them.0:53
Qin Shi Huang wanted to be sure that he took all his belongings with him, including his army.1:01
So he ordered his men to start working on it when he was just 13 years old.1:07
Around 700,000 men worked on building the elaborate treasure filled tomb surrounded by an army of clay soldiers until the Emperor's death.1:12
Each one of the statues is unique.1:22
They each have their own individual facial expressions and features.1:25
Some have mustaches, others have beards, and they are all different heights and builds.1:28
Some people believe that each one was modeled on the real soldiers of the first emperor's personal army.1:34
In total, there are around 8,000 soldiers, all lined up for battle in different pits alongside bronze horses and chariots and an armory of weapons spread over 50 square kilometers.1:40
The splendor of the burial site shows just how powerful Emperor Qin Shi Huang was.1:52
During his reign, he brought the different states of China together to form the first Chinese Empire.1:58
And he made the written language, the money and the laws the same for everyone.2:04
The first great fortresses that would become part of the Great Wall of China were also built during his reign.2:09
Strangely though, despite his importance and power, after his death, the Emperor's tomb was forgotten and remained untouched for 2,000 years.2:15
Today, the first emperor's tomb is a protected UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.2:24
Archaeologists may never uncover all the riches of the tomb, but what has been found so far is a fantastic gift to the world.2:30
Any visitor to China will be amazed by the spectacular terracotta army.2:39
It is a sight not to be missed.2:43
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