Describes the archaeological discovery of thousands of life-sized terracotta warrior statues in northern China in 1974, and discusses the emperor who had them created and placed near his tomb.

Lintong County, People's Republic of China, March 1974 Three farmers are digging a well when suddenly their shovels hit something hard. It is a clay head of a mad who stares back at them, open-eyed and amazingly real looking. The farmers have never seen anything like it; neither have the archeologists who arrive and being to uncover more and more pottery men—first dozens, then hundres and eventually thousands! Buried for more than 2,200 years, they are soldiers, life-size as well as life-like, and they stand at attention as if waiting for the command to charge into battle. The only thing missing is their weapons, and soon those are found too—thousands of real bronze swords, daggers, and arrowheads still so sharp they can split a hair. Now, after almost thirty years of ongoing excavation, a buried army of 7,500 terracotta soldiers and horses has emerged. And this site that three farmers accidentally stumbled upon ranks along with the Great Pyramids in Egypt as one of the true wonders of the ancient world. The Emperor's Silent Army features more than forty full-color photos that showcase the terracotta troops. A vivid and engaging text tells all about the army as well as the extraordinary story of the men who commanded its creation—the ruthless and tyrannical first emperor of China.

In 1974, near Xi'an in central China, villagers chanced upon what has become one of the world's most astonishing archaeological finds--an 8,000-man army in battle-ready formation, each warrior a life-size figure in pottery made over 2,200 years ago.

Explores the the army of terra-cotta soliders found at the tomb of China's first emperor Qin Shi Haungdi.

The rise of Qin and the military conquest of the warring states -- The First Emperor and the Qin empire -- Imperial tours and mountain inscriptions -- The First Emperor's tomb: the afterlife universe -- A two-thousand-year-old underground empire.

Illustrations and easy-to-follow text describe the army of clay soldiers that were created by China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, and how twentieth-century farmers uncovered the army, which had been buried for over two thousand years.

"The terra cotta army of Qin Shihuangdi, the First Emperor of China (r. 221-210 BC), is one of the most spectacular finds in world archaeology. It was discovered by chance in 1974 - a garrison in battle-ready formation, spread across a number of pits. Here were life-sized warriors made over two thousand years ago from fired clay: cavalry, archers, and infantry; lowly foot soldiers and high ranking officers; figures of varying ages, with different hairstyles and facial expressions and seemingly representing every racial group in China - more than 6,000 in all." "But who was this powerful Emperor of the Qin Dynasty who needed such an army to guard him in the afterlife? How were the figures made? How could they have been manufactured on such a vast scale? Beautifully illustrated and based on the latest research, this little book provides a perfect introduction to what has often been described as the eighth Wonder of the World."--BOOK JACKET.