Since the discovery of the Terracotta Warriors in 1974, archaeological work on Emperor Qinshihuang's mausoleum in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, has continued for five decades, yielding many important findings and enhancing understanding of the emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) and his era. Presented below are key discoveries made over the past 50 years.

1. Terracotta Warriors No 1, 2 and 3 pits: The No 1 Pit was discovered in 1974 when local farmers were drilling wells. Then archaeologists discovered No 2 and No 3 pits to the north of it in 1976, which join to constitute a group of satellite pits, about 1.5 kilometers from Emperor Qinshihuang's main grave. The three pits cover an area of 14,260, 6,000 and 520 square meters and have yielded about 8,000 Terracotta Warriors and horses, over 100 model chariots and more than 40,000 bronze weapons.

The Terracotta army is arranged in a military formation, with three divisions and a command center. They symbolize the garrison guarding Qin's capital, Xianyang, during the reign of Emperor Qinshihuang.

The discovery of the Terracotta Warriors pits has provided various research topics of the Qin Dynasty, such as the types of troops, equipment, organization, formation of the army, manufacturing techniques of Terracotta Warriors, and the production techniques of the weapons.

2. Bronze chariots and horses: In 1978, archaeologists found two large-scale painted bronze model chariots and horses to the west of the giant mound above the main grave of the emperor. They were put in a wooden coffin but crushed into pieces when discovered. Luckily, their components are still complete which took scholars eight years to restore. The bronze chariots and horses are modeled after the actual shape of real chariots. Although the size is half of the real, it meticulously simulates the intricate details of the original. Previously discovered chariots were made of wood and had decayed by the time of excavation. The discovery of the bronze chariots allows people to see a replica of ancient imperial chariots.

They are one of the earliest, largest and best preserved bronze chariots and horses ever discovered in China, providing an important reference for scholars when studying metallurgical operations and bronze manufacturing technology of Qin's time.

3. Bronze waterfowl pit: In 2000, a satellite pit located outside the outer wall of the mausoleum yielded 46 bronze waterfowl, including swans, red-crowned cranes and swan geese, as well as 15 pottery figurines.

The waterfowl are depicted in dynamic poses, some foraging, and some resting. Some cranes have an insect-like object in their mouths, which seems like the moment when their sharp beaks leave the water after catching prey. The whole scene resembles a water body, where waterfowl have fun and prey on insects on the river banks.

Some archaeologists infer that the pottery figurines embody musicians who play instruments and the waterfowl are domesticated to dance along with the music. As funeral objects accompanying the emperor after death, they may embody entertainment for the emperor and show the diversified cultural atmosphere of the Qin Dynasty.

4. A large-scale tomb located to the west of the emperor's grave: Since 2013, excavations have taken place on a tomb to the west of the emperor's main grave, as a satellite tomb in the mausoleum complex. For years, archaeologists have excavated tomb passages, a burial room and three chariot burial pits and found a precious four-wheeled carriage, the first of its kind found in China.

The tomb covers an area of 1,900 square meters. It has yielded a large amount of pottery, bronze vessels, jade, iron, gold and silver artifacts. Gold and silver camels found in the burial room are the earliest of their kind ever found in China.

Archaeologists say although the tomb owner remains a mystery, the tomb is currently one of the largest and highest-ranking Qin noble tombs to be discovered and excavated, and one of the best preserved. It may provide valuable information about the burial practices of Qin aristocracy.

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