NOVA: Emperor's Ghost Army

Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV / Stream now with KPBS Passport!

—Investigate how and why life-sized terracotta statues were made for Emperor Qin Shi Huang of China—

To defend himself in the afterlife, the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, was buried in a vast mausoleum accompanied by around 9,000 life-sized terracotta statues. With exclusive access to groundbreaking new research, NOVA investigates the secrets of how and why the astonishing figures were made and the technology behind the still lethal and highly-advanced crossbows, spears, and swords carried by the clay warriors on "Emperor's Ghost Army."

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Close up of a 2200 year old figure.

Courtesy of Lion Television

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Row of terracotta warriors, Pit One, TAM.

Courtesy of Lion Television

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Wide of Pit One with warriors facing east.

Courtesy of Lion Television

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A mass of broken figures (as they were discovered) in Pit Two.

Courtesy of Lion Television

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UCL's Prof. Marcos M-T in TAM restoration labs and bronze crossbow triggers.

Courtesy of Lion Television

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Weapons expert Mike Loades tests a replica crossbow and arrow #1.

Courtesy of Lion Television

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Painting a replica figure #1.

Courtesy of Lion Television

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Replica horse figures in the workshop.

Courtesy of Lion Television

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Replica warriors for tourist sales.

Courtesy of Lion Television

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Ranks of soldiers in Pit One.

Courtesy of Lion Television

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Close up of a terracotta archer #2.

Courtesy of Lion Television

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