Expert says terracotta army of servants, not warriors

Xinhua ^ | Monday, April 13, 2009 | Wang Hongjiang (editor)

[SunkenCiv]

A Chinese professor is out with a theory that could turn one of the country's most important archeological discoveries on upside down.

Liu Jiusheng at Shaanxi Normal University says the famed Terracotta Soldiers of Xi'an aren't soldiers at all--they're royal servants and bodyguards, most likely modeled after high-ranking Qin dynasty officials.

Most historians believe the 2,200-year-old clay statues buried near the emperor's tomb represent an army custom-made to guard him in the afterlife. But Liu argues ordinary soldiers weren't allowed to get close to the emperor, even in death.

Furthermore, Liu says the figures stand at around 190 cm, much taller than average Chinese past or present. Liu theorizes the clay statues were probably made taller to show their elevated social status.

Though not widely accepted, experts say Liu's argument is worth studying.

The 1,000-strong terracotta army was discovered near Xi'an in 1974. It was listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO in December 1987.

[SunkenCiv]

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[George Smiley]

Bull.

I’ve seen them.

Armored horses, some of the people were archers.

[LibLieSlayer]

Arhers and swordsmen... I saw a special on it and copied ot to dvd... chicoms and muzzies... lie lie lie lie lie!

LLS

[True Republican Patriot]

Had the privilege of seeing them first hand! Absolutely Breathtaking and Awesome! The Chinese Culture and Heritage is something to behold. With the latest Washington Antics, They will consumate their purchase of the U.S. in a much shorter time horizon:-( They surely think ZERO is a Buffoon.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks!

[bert]

The bias against chicoms is unwarranted. The theory is advanced by an academic who like all of his breed needs to split hairs and write papers exploring different paths.

The fact we know of this paper is a strong indication thet the stranglehold of Mao is released and China is becoming part of the world.

[LibLieSlayer]

The chicoms want to dominate us and that is why they are expanding their Military and planning on becoming a larger Super Power than we are. You are either naive or you are a chicom plant. I have eyes and ears... a subscritpions to Jane's and I have friends in DHS and other unnamed organizations. The chicoms plan on ruling the world, space and controlling energy. hussein is doing everything that he can to help them. They are and shall always be my enemy.

LLS

[norton]

The article states "royal servants and bodyguards".

I've seen the US tour also, and servants and bodyguards would serve better than "soldiers" because so many of the figures are apparently administrators, ministers, or such; and the definition of 'body guard' might be different in long ago China than in today's urban America.

[LibLieSlayer]

This is all about softening the image of the chicoms and their history. Sorry... China defined the warlord system... they own it and I will not buy into chicom propaganda. They are still my enemy... not all Chinese... but the chicoms most certainly are... and they lie like pravda... da comrade.

LLS

[afraidfortherepublic]

Had the privilege of seeing them first hand! Absolutely Breathtaking and Awesome! The Chinese Culture and Heritage is something to behold.

Me too, and I agree. I saw them in 1983. I saw faces in those ranks that matched faces of my friends. I saw faces that clearly were not Chinese -- they looked like Turks and their uniforms were different from the others. They were amazing.