THE BURIAL SITE

1. The tomb

The burial mound is around 50 to 75 metres high. Soundings suggest that beneath it is a stepped halfpyramid up to 150 metres wide with two entrances. Inside, presumably, is the emperor’s coffin.

2. Pit of the Bronze Chariots

Two half-size chariots were found in 1980. One (the so-called High Chariot) was open, the other (the ‘Comfortable Chariot’) was enclosed, for the emperor’s spirit. Both were crushed, but are now restored.

3. Servants’ quarters

The worship of the emperor needed a staff of hundreds. They lived here, with offices and washing facilities.

4. Banqueting room

It was probably used to provide meals for all the functionaries and to make the food offered every day to the emperor’s spirit.

5. Resting hall

This 57-by-62-metre complex was above ground; the centre for the cult devoted to the emperor.

6. Side hall

In these above-ground buildings, family members would prepare themselves for the frequent rituals of mourning and worship.

7. Pit of the ‘acrobats’

Twelve figures, dressed in skirts. Eleven of them are perhaps acrobats, and one is possibly a wrestler.

8. Stone armour pit

Discovered in 1998, this pit contains about 120 suits of limestone armour, all broken. Limestone does not make real armour – it’s too heavy and too fragile. It was probably a symbolic defence against evil spirits.

9. Menagerie pits

Several pits that each contain the skeleton of a bird or animal. They possibly symbolise the First Emperor’s hunting ground or zoo.

10. Pit of the officials

Discovered in 2000, it contained 20 horse skeletons and 12 terracotta figures. Long sleeves and writing tools make clear that they are officials.