Archeologists have unearthed more than 310 pieces of cultural relics from the No. 1 Pit of the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang during a recent excavation of his mausoleum complex, Xinhua reported. The new discoveries include over 100 terracotta soldiers and war horses, two sets of chariots, as well as some weaponry, drums and a shield.

The shield especially is an exciting discovery, because no shields had previously been found in the three pits of terracotta warriors.

In addition to the No. 1 Pit, the 9901 Pit is another excavation site. The excavation of the 9901 Pit started in August of last year, and more than 20 terracotta figures have been unearthed so far.

A giant figure from the pit has attracted much attention. The headless figure is 2.2 meters tall and its foot, which was found nearby, is 32 centimeters in length.

Experts said this figure is bigger than any other one found in the pit and it could be as much as 2.5 meters tall if the figure's head were present.

An expert said that judging from the gestures and shapes of the terracotta figures and the appliances found in the pit, the figures were performers entertaining the emperor.

As the excavations progress, experts have confirmed that fires had been lit in some of the pits.

They have ruled out that these fires were part of an ancient ritual, as only several pits showed signs of burning.

(China.org.cn June 12, 2012)

据新华社报道，在最近一次对秦始皇陵的发掘中，考古学家从一号坑发掘出310多件文物，其中包括数量过百的陶俑、陶马、战车2乘、部分武器、战鼓以及一枚盾牌。

盾牌的发现尤其令人惊喜，因为三个俑坑还从未发现过盾牌。

除了一号坑，9901坑是另一个发掘点，其发掘工作始于去年8月，目前已出土20多个陶俑。

其中，一个巨大的陶俑吸引了人们的注意。这座无头陶俑高2.2米，它的脚在身躯附近找到，长度为32厘米。

专家称该陶俑比9901坑中出土的其它陶俑都要大，如果有头的话高度将达2.5米。

一位专家表示，从陶俑的身姿形态及坑内发现的器具来看，这些陶俑是为秦始皇表演的“演员”。

随着发掘工作的推进，专家们已经确认俑坑中曾经起火。

由于只有部分地点有火烧痕迹，目前已排除了起火是某种古老仪式中一环的可能性。