Everyone has heard of China’s terracotta army, but I doubt many people actually know what it is. Despite the obvious, what you need to know is that it was discovered by a farmer in 1974. The terracotta army is actually the entourage of emperor Qin Shi Huang Di, who died in 210 B.C. There are about 6000 figures to be discovered, all of which were meant to entertain and protect the emperor after death. Being buried with 6,000 hot warriors whose only purpose was to protect and entertain me seems right up my alley. Almost worth dying for.
Here are five fun facts to goad you into visiting the army in person:
1. The laborers that worked on the tomb with him were put to death. Hundreds of skeletons have been unearthed in his grave. And you thought your boss was bad?
2. The emperor started working on the tomb at the tender young age of 13. It took 26 years and 700,000 men to build. How much do you think minimum wage was back then?
3.The emperor was terrified of death and took mercury tablets to prolong his life. Ironic, isn’t it?
4. The weapons discovered in the tomb were preserved with a chromium coating, allowing them to survive 2,200 years under ground.
5. There is a legend that the floor of the emperors tomb contains a map of his kingdom complete with replicas, jewels, and booby traps.
[ via ]
