Extraordinary: The main Terracotta Army museum in Xi'€™an, Shaanxi province, China.

The Terracotta Army is familiar to many people. The army comprises statues of soldiers and horses discovered around the tomb of the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang.

The terracotta statues, which were first found in 1974 by several local farmers near Xi'€™an, Shaanxi province, are estimated to consist of over 8,000 soldiers, 130 carriages with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, which are mostly still buried in many pits. Archeologists believe a lot more cavities are yet to be uncovered.

The terracotta statues constitute one man'€™s most amazing achievements. The figures were built during 210-209 B.C. for the purpose of guarding the statue of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.

Qin was the first dynastic ruler of the Chinese empire and it was he who ordered the creation of these figures during his reign.

In China, the museum is commonly known as Bing Ma Yong. Among China'€™s most-popular tourist destinations, Bing Ma Yong is part of a museum complex, known as Emperor Qin Shi Huang'€™s Mausoleum Park, which displays relics from the Qin Dynasty. The park comprises the Lishan Garden, the Terracotta Army Museum and several other places of interest.

In 1987, the park was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a World Heritage Site.

Objects of attraction: Tourists take pictures inside the museum.
This historical location was discovered when a farmer, Yang Peiyan, and several fellow workers cultivating the land, came across the top of a brick wall. After some hesitation, he made a hole in the wall and peeped through; thereupon, he was totally flabbergasted to see row upon row of warrior statues.

Since that initial discovery in 1974, there has been extensive excavation of the area. Archeologists assess that numerous statues and artifacts remain buried underground; so many, in fact, that they cannot put a figure on it.

This Terracotta Army is indeed a wonder of China'€™s cultural heritage. According to researchers, the details of the soldiers'€™ faces and their uniforms are so specific that the identities of many of these warriors can still be traced.

The mystery of the historic site has prompted many filmmakers to use the story of the Terracotta Warriors as a background to their adventure movies.

Filmgoers will surely remember the movie, The Myth, featuring Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan, or Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, a sequel to The Mummy, both of which used the Terracotta Army in some action sequences.

Proud warrior: One of the discovered terracotta statues was perfectly intact.

Original state: This area of the museum has not yet been reconstructed due to challenging natural conditions.

Resurrection: Some of the statues that have been restored are set out for display.

On the record: Officials record technical data in areas where the terracotta statues are housed.

New addition: A restorer builds a new terracotta statue.

Souvenirs: Artisans make small terracotta warriors that visitors to the museum can buy.
'€” Photos By JP/R. Bertho Wedhatama