Archaeologists have made an incredible new discovery at the famous Terracotta Army site in China, unearthing a rare 2,000-year-old statue believed to depict a high-ranking military commander.
The statue, found buried in silt, adds to the growing collection of life-size clay warriors that have fascinated historians and visitors from around the world.
According to the South China Morning Post, the find marks the first discovery of a commander statue since 1994. There are only 10 such figures among the thousands of warriors at the site.
Experts believe the army was buried to protect Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, in the afterlife. His grand burial site, located near Xi’an, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and remains one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.
Zhu Sihong, the head of the excavation project, told China’s state broadcaster CCTV that the figure was unearthed in “No. 2 Pit” and is thought to be the leader of his unit.
“Based on its location, we believe this figure was likely the highest-ranking military commander of this unit,” Sihong explained.
Despite being buried for centuries, the statue retained traces of its original colour. Sihong said that the silt helped preserve the statue’s paint by maintaining stable humidity and temperature levels underground.
The commander wasn’t found alone. The statue was discovered alongside two high-ranking officers, five armored warriors, as well as fragments of chariots and horses.
Experts identified the figure’s rank through its elaborate headdress, patterned armor, and the distinctive pose of its hands clasped in front of its body.
The Terracotta Army site stretches across 22 square miles and is believed to include over 600 underground vaults. Discovered accidentally by local farmers in 1974, the site is estimated to house up to 7,000 life-size soldiers, horses, chariots, and weapons.
So far, only around 2,000 statues have been unearthed, and many experts believe thousands more are still buried.
UNESCO has described the figures as “masterpieces of realism” due to their lifelike expressions and intricate designs. Each statue was individually crafted and originally painted in bright colours, though many have lost their colour over time.
The Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses, which includes the mausoleum site, has become a major attraction for tourists and researchers.
The site’s pits are numbered in the order of their discovery.
Pit No. 1 houses rows of soldiers and chariots, Pit No. 2 contains over 1,000 warriors and wooden chariots, while Pit No. 3 features fewer warriors but is thought to represent a command center.
The ongoing excavations continue to reveal new details about the army and its purpose.
Experts believe the emperor’s burial complex, which took an estimated 38 years to build with 700,000 workers, still holds many secrets yet to be uncovered.
