"The terra-cotta army, as it is known, is part of an elaborate mausoleum created to accompany the first emperor of China into the afterlife, according to archaeologists." ~ National Geographic

Thanks to this farmer...

turned book/photo signing celebrity...

visitors can feast your eyes and cameras...

 on one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world.

Once again...

Ren Man's bucket list caught me off guard...

and had me at hello!

My mind is boggled by this treasure.

Until a farmer decided to dig a water well in 1974...

three huge pits filled with terra-cotta warriors, horses and carriages...

lay buried...

protecting the emperor, entombed nearby, for eternity.

Our guide was thrilled for us to experience clear skies

 in order to see the Emperor's tomb in the distance.

Fortunately,

photos were taken on site of discovery before the colors on each warrior faded

 with every passing moment in contact with air.

 Three pits...

have the warriors on display.

Field trip envy did overtake me 

as I watched these young children in awe

and remembered my countless field trips to the zoo!

Fascinating details emerge in the links provided above, and here,

as historians piece together the life and after life of China's First Emperor.

Enjoy the reading and...