China Stamps - 1990 , T151 , Scott 2276-78 The Bronze Chariots Unearthed from the Mausoleum of the Emperor Qin Shi Huang, MNH, F-VF - (92276)

China Stamps - 1990 , T151 , Scott 2276-78 The Bronze Chariots Unearthed from the Mausoleum of the Emperor Qin Shi Huang, MNH, F-VF : Terracotta soldier, kneeling and shooting: funerary object (in the front, height 120 cm); No.1 bronze chariot and horses: funerary object (in the background, total length 225 cm)The Qinshihuang Mausoleum and the Pits containing terracotta warriors and horses are located in Lintong County, near Xi'an City, capital of Shaanxi Province. Constructed from 246 BC to 208 BC, the mausoleum was the first of its kind in Chinese history. With a height of 76 m, the mausoleum is laid out in line with the dimensions of Xianyang, capital of the Qin Dynasty. It is composed of the inner compound and the outer compound, which have perimeters of 2.5 km and 6.3 km, respectively. The tomb is located in the southwest of the inner compound.The pits containing the terracotta army guarding the mausoleum were discovered in 1974. Three pits have been excavated so far. Occupying an area of over 200,000 square meters, the three pits are arranged in a triangular shape, facing the east. A total of over 7,000 life-size terracotta warriors, chariots and horses, and hundreds of bronze weapons have been excavated from the pits. The terracotta warriors are about 1.8 m high and can be identified from their respective costume and position in line.Two bronze carriages excavated from the west of mausoleum have four horses harnessed to each, and in each stand an official and a driver. They display an exquisite casting technique, and are regarded as bronze masterpieces and national treasures. The unearthed bronze weapons are still glitter and sharp.