Visual Literacy Activity netw rks

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Visual Literacy Activity

The First Chinese Empires

netw rks

The Terra-cotta Army at Xi'an

The graves of ancient rulers have provided many of the most spectacular and significant finds made by archaeologists. Such discoveries as the Mycenaean shaft graves, the royal tombs of Ur, and King Tutankhamen's tomb revealed a wealth of information about ancient civilizations and fueled the public's fascination with the romance of digging up the past. One of the most sensational and important archaeological finds of recent decades began in 1974, when Chinese farmers digging a well found evidence that led to the discovery of the vast tomb complex of the first Chinese emperor, Qin Shihuangdi, who died in 210 B.C.

Directions: The two photographs show some of the life-sized terra-cotta warriors buried with Qin Shihuangdi in his tomb complex near the modern Chinese city of Xi'an. Look closely at the photographs and answer the questions that follow.

Copyright ? The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use. China Photos/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Caption: Terra-cotta statues of warriors in Pit 1, Qin Shihuangdi's tomb complex, late third century B.C.

Background

As he grew older, Qin Shihuangdi became obsessed with his survival. Repeated assassination attempts caused him to distrust his courtiers. He sent an expedition to legendary islands east of China in search of the secret of immortality. Qin Shihuangdi began work on his tomb shortly after he became emperor of China in 221 B.C. The pace of construction increased in 212 B.C., when 700,000 convicts and forced laborers were put to work on the project. The emperor's tomb was probably not completed when he died in 210 B.C.

Located near the ancient Qin capital of Xianyang, which is 12 miles (20 km) northwest of present-day Xi'an, Qin Shihuangdi's tomb forms an enormous complex that extends more than 20 square miles (50 sq. km). The emperor's tomb itself is a huge earthen mound that archaeologists have not yet excavated.

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Visual Literacy Activity Cont.

The First Chinese Empires

netw rks

? Paul Souders/Corbis

Copyright ? The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

Caption: Repaired terra-cotta statues of warriors, Qin Shihuangdi's tomb complex, late third century B.C.

What the Chinese farmers found in 1974 was a beautifully sculpted, life-sized clay head depicting an ancient Chinese warrior. It was the first evidence of the existence of an underground army meant to guard the emperor in the afterlife. Buried in several pits near the site of his tomb, Qin Shihuangdi's army faces east toward the emperor's tomb mound. The 8,000 life-size terra-cotta figures include foot soldiers, archers, cavalry, charioteers, and horses. Standing in their columns, the different groups of the emperor's buried army were arranged in precise military formation, ready for battle.

The terra-cotta statues were assembled from mass-produced component parts, which typically included the base on which the figure stands or kneels, the feet, legs, torso, arms, hands, and head. Although these component parts were standardized, different types of each were produced. The most varied component was the head, of which eight different types were produced. Once each figure was assembled, individual details, such as hats, hairstyles, and moustaches, were added.

Practicing the Skill

1. Drawing Conclusions Examine the way in which the terra-cotta figures are positioned in the pit. What does this arrangement indicate about Qin Shihuangdi's motives in creating his terra-cotta army?

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NAME ______________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________

Visual Literacy Activity Cont.

The First Chinese Empires

netw rks

2. Making Inferences Standardization was a key feature of the first emperor's rule. For example, he standardized the script of written Chinese, an important aid to communication in a huge country with many different spoken languages. How did his tomb complex reflect his program of standardization?

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3. Drawing Conclusions Look at the individual warrior figures. In your view, was the creation of Qin Shihuangdi's buried army an example of an artistic activity or an industrial activity? Give reasons for your opinion.

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Copyright ? The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use.

Go a Step Further

4. Determining Importance What would be the most important revelation about ancient Chinese civilization resulting from the discovery of the first emperor's buried army?

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