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Terracotta Army

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The Terracotta Army is a collection of life-sized clay soldiers and horses buried with China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, over 2,000 years ago. They were discovered in 1974 in Xi'an, China, by farmers digging a well. The army was meant to protect the emperor in the afterlife, and it's one of the most significant archaeological finds in history. The statues are incredibly detailed and represent different ranks and roles in the ancient Chinese army. Today, they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of China's rich history and culture.


LEGO build:

  • Terracotta Warriors: The centerpiece of this build is the terracotta warriors themselves. Each minifigure represents a soldier of the ancient Chinese army. Warriors feature detailed armor and helmets to mimic the designs found on the real terracotta statues.

  • Formation: The warriors' formation is similar to the way they were discovered at the actual archaeological site. They were found in battle formation, lined up in rows, which creates a striking visual effect.

  • Pit Layout: I built a diorama representing one of the pits where the Terracotta Army was discovered. It includes the layout of the pit, the surrounding earth, and elements that were present in the original site.

  • Painted Details: While the actual terracotta warriors have lost most of their original paint, historically they were painted in vibrant colors. Therefore, I have added subtle painted details to the minifigures to represent this.


The exact number of terracotta warriors in the entire Terracotta Army is not precisely known, as excavations are ongoing and many areas remain unexplored. However, it is estimated that there are over 8,000 life-sized terracotta soldiers, along with around 600 horses and chariots.

We actually need just a little over 8,000 warriors, to be more exact, 10,000!

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