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Primary sourceSculpturec. 210 BCE (photographed 2019)

Qin Terracotta Warrior at the Lintong Exhibit

c. 210 BCE (photographed 2019)

A terracotta warrior figure with a raised pointing arm, from the buried army guarding Qin Shi Huang's tomb.

This warrior figure was part of the buried army created to serve and protect Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife.

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Photo of a headless-legged terracotta figure of a standing man with his right arm raised, index finger pointing upward. He has a cap, a bare upper body with cracks and worn patches, a belt, and a long skirt-like lower garment. It sits on a dark display stand against a black background.
Qin terracotta warrior figure, mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang. Lintong on-site museum, photographed 2019.

About this source

What it is

This is a terracotta warrior figure from the army built for the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, photographed at the on-site museum near Lintong. The figure is missing its legs and head but shows a raised right arm with a pointing finger, a cap, and worn clothing details.

Why it matters

The terracotta army, discovered near the emperor's burial mound, is one of the largest archaeological finds in the world. Each figure was individually crafted, showing the scale of labor and artistry commanded by Qin Shi Huang to protect and serve him after death, and revealing much about Qin military dress and craftsmanship.

Look closer

  • What might the figure's raised, pointing arm have originally been doing — holding a weapon, giving a signal?
  • What details of clothing or posture can you still make out despite the damage?
  • Why do you think thousands of individual figures were made instead of a few large statues?

This sculpture is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Emperor Qin Shi Huang on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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