words from the world

The nighttrain drops us off at Xi'an. East from this 8-million-inhabitant town, about thirty years ago, Chinese farmers digged out terracotta remains. A resounding discovery will follow, one of the greatest archeological discoveries of the century. Excavation will bring some 6000 life-size soldiers, archers and horses. Each of them show different features and faces, their own posture and weapon.
The 3 pits were covered with a metallic-framed roof to shelter the excavation places. We begin with the pits 2 and 3 that contain a few standing soldiers and some still dropped on the ground broken statues. A mouth-watering exhibition before the pit 1.





The pit 1 is immense. Equal to what there are in it. We get in the room, strong metallic ceiling hanging floodlights light the pit. We go up the stairs, move away the balustrades-congregated tourists to face this archeological jewel. An army is marching inside the stone trenches. The by-the-handrail crush disturbs the emotions of the spectacle in no way. Each individual is superb but that's their number which impresses. A horde of silent soldiers, militarily lined-up in rows and columns. The visit way goes round the arena and the look glued to the pit, we sweep over the faithful followers. Stupefying contrast between the excitement of the tourists, the jangling of the cameras and the age-old serenity of the terracotta army.