[Recommended by Xu Hong, Ma Boyong, and Yu Gengzhe! Join an “archaeological detective” at the excavation site]
The Terracotta Army symbolizes the might and grandeur of the Qin Empire. Behind it lies proof that countless individuals once lived through that era. Like the cells of the Qin Empire, they offer the most vivid commentary on its history.
Xu Weihong, who led the third excavation of Pit 1 of the Terracotta Army and the excavations at the ruins of Xianyang, the Qin capital, has spent 30 years tirelessly tracing the “footprints of relatives” and studying Qin history. In this book, she presents the many subtle discoveries made at the Terracotta Army excavation site, which together bring the society of the Qin dynasty vividly back to life. Following the branching lineages of the terracotta warriors’ families, what can we learn about the Qin people’s innovation and inheritance, their realities and aspirations? As the system of marking crafts with their makers’ names became more and more refined, did the warriors repaired with “bone-setting paste” reflect the Qin people’s pragmatism or a compromise by the regulatory authorities? How did the Qin’s advanced local lacquerwork techniques enable artisans to create such lifelike, colorful terracotta warriors? Who were the three kinds of people who built the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, and how were their logistical needs met?...
As we follow the author’s exploration of the Qin dynasty’s lively past, we can also see more of the reality behind its archaeological sites and artifacts. What does the “absolutely amazing” feature of the powerful crossbow reveal about how the Qin military caught up with and surpassed the nomadic peoples? Is it true that Qin Shi Huang “collected all the weapons under heaven,” and was the policy implemented flexibly? The “tyrannical Qin” had a strict funeral protocol for soldiers killed in battle. Can this help us understand, even a little, why the Qin state united all under heaven? How did the growth and development of Liyi help the Qin Empire consolidate its rule over the country?...
