Special: Unveil the mysterious history - the third excavation of terracotta army site

Chinese archaeologists started a new excavation of the famous terracotta army site on June 13, hoping to find more clay figures and unravel some of the mysteries left behind by the "First Emperor."

So far, six of major surprises has received quite a lot of attention.

1. Two four-horse chariots that are standing in tandem very closely

"The most important discovery today is two four-horse chariots that are standing in tandem very closely," said Cao Wei, deputy curator of the Qinshihuang Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum.

"It is the first time for us to find such an existence in the excavation history," Cao said.

2. A few newly-unearthed terracotta warriors were richly colored.

The finds appear to answer the widely held belief that another sizable number of warriors exist beneath the tomb of Qin Shihuang, first emperor in Chinese history, and for whom the entire site was created some 2,000 years ago.

Richly colored clay figures were unearthed from the mausoleum of Qinshihuang in the Qin Dynasty (221 B.C.- 207 B.C.), the first emperor of a united China, in previous excavations, but once they were exposed to the air they began to lose their luster and turn an oxidized grey.

3. Color-painted wood loop

A large wood loop, whose diameter is about 60 cm, was discovered during the excavation. On the loop, people could clearly see color on it, and the color is still so bright even it had been buried for thousands of years.

4. A bronze arrowhead

Near the wood loop, a bronze arrowhead still seems sharp enough to kill. According to archaeologists that since there are more than 10 thousands of weapons had been discovered in the No.1 pit, more weapons in that period will be dug out.

5. About 150 clay figures in prediction

Liu Zhancheng, one of the archaeologists, said: "According to the situation of excavation now and the experiences that about 150 clay figures will rise from earth.

6. Visitors could watch the excavation themselves

During the excavation, both domestic and overseas visitors are allowed to watch the process, and the formal visiting on the terracotta warriors will not be interrupted too.

By People's Daily Online