More terra-cotta warriors to rise from earth

(China Daily/CFP)
Updated: 2009-06-11 12:05

File photo shows ancient terra-cotta warriors in No. 1 pit of Qinshihuang mausoleum in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province. [CFP]

But he also noted that people should not put too much hope on seeing vividly colored terracotta from the upcoming excavation because "the No 1 pit was the most severely damaged among the three pits by a large fire".

The cause of the fire, which began long before excavations took place, remains a mystery, he said.

Museum sources, however, declined to reveal the reason why they planned to excavate the 200-sq m patch, which is not linked to the already unearthed part.

The State Administration of Cultural Heritage has approved the museum's plan for the third excavation, and the excavation is likely to continue if it proves fruitful.

Wu Yongqi, curator of the museum, said that the 230-m by 62-m pit is believed to contain about 6,000 life-sized terracotta figures, more than 1,000 of which have been found in previous excavations.

The upcoming excavation will last at least a year, he said.

Workers prepare for the upcoming third phase of excavation for China’s ancient terra-cotta warriors in No. 1 pit in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province. [CFP]

The army of terracotta warriors and horses was one of the greatest archeological finds of modern times. It was discovered in Lintong county, 35 km east of Xi'an, in 1974 by peasants digging a well.

The first formal excavation of the site lasted from 1978 to 1984 and uncovered 1,087 clay figures. A second excavation, in 1985, lasted a year and was cut short for technical reasons.

The discovery, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in December 1987, has turned Xi'an into one of China's major tourist attractions. Many state leaders have traveled to the site during visits to China.

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