旅游观光参考译文：第四篇 Passage 4

第四篇 Passage 4

Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses were discovered accidentally in March 1974 when the local farmers were digging a well in the fields. Archeologists believe that the terra-cotta warriors and horses were from the Qin Dynasty. After many explorations and test excavation, three pits have been discovered, covering an area of 22,780 square meters.

This discovery created a world sensation. In order to protect these rare historical relics, in 1975, the State Council granted permission to construct a 16,300-square-meter museum over the site of Pit No 1. The museum was officially open to the public on the nation’s National Day, October 1, 1979. Later, exhibition halls housing Pit No. 3, No. 2 and the Bronze Chariots and Horses were built and open to the public in succession. The Museum and the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang have been listed as one of the country’s ten great historical sites and designated by the UNESCO as a World Culture Heritage Site.

Pit No.1 is rectangular in shape. It is 230 meters from east to west, 62 meters from north to south, 5 meters deep, and covers an area of 16,620 square meters. Warriors in this pit are arranged in a practical battle array. In the long corridor at the east end of the pit stand three rows of terra-cotta warriors, 70 in each, 210 in all. Armed with bows and arrows, the soldiers are wearing battle tunics and puttees, and facing east. They are regarded as the vanguard of the battle formation. These are followed by 38 columns of troops, consisting of infantrymen and charioteers that are arranged in 11 corridors separated by 10 earth-rammed walls. The warriors all wear armors and carry long-shaft weapons. They make up the main body of the battle formation. Furthermore, at the north, south, and west end, there is one row of terra-cotta warriors respectively, all facing outward. They are the flanks and rear guards of the entire battle formation. From the 960 square meters testing trenches, some 500 warriors, 4 chariots, and 24 drafting horses have been unearthed. According to the density, 6,000 pieces in all can be excavated from Pit No.1.

Pit No.2 is “L”- shaped, covering an area of 6,000 square meters. It is actually a mixed battle formation consisting of military forces in four separate arrays. The first array is composed of 334 archers， the second of 64 chariots with three warriors on each. The third array includes 19 chariots and 100 warriors. The fourth array consists of 6 chariots, 124 cavalrymen and saddled horses. Together, the four arrays constitute a large battle formation, closely connected with one another. At the same time, each of the four arrays is an independent division, flexible and capable of both attacking and defending. It is estimated that altogether 1,500 pieces are expected to be excavated from Pit No.2.

Pit No.3 is “U”-shaped, taking up 520 square meters with only 4 terra-cotta horses, one chariot and 68 armored warriors discovered. Warriors here stand in two rows, opposite to each other along the wall. They carry a kind of long weapon, which has no blades and are believed to be used by the guards of honor. Remains of animal bones and deer horns probably used for sacrificial offerings and war praying are found in this pit. So archeologists believe it is the headquarters of the underground army.

The three pits are arranged in a triangle and form an enormous battle array, consisting of 8,000 warriors and horses. Vast and powerful, they give us a grand view of a mighty army in full battle array. They are the garrison army molded to guard Emperor Qin Shihuang tomb.

All the pottery figures were modeled life-size and were originally all color-painted. The warriors in the formation are arranged in accordance with their ranks-----generals, officers and soldiers, and their functions-----foot soldiers, charioteers and cavalrymen. The warriors vary from one another in feature and facial expressions, looking lifelike and vivid. They reveal the high artistic skill and national style of the group sculpture of ancient China.

Together with the warriors and horses are thousands of bronze weapons, including broad knives, swords, spears, dagger-axes, halberds, crossbows, arrows and arrowheads. The most eye-catching among the weapons is a bronze sword. Though buried under ground for over two thousand years, the sword is rustproof, still bright and sharp, and it can cut through 20 sheets of paper piled together. Technical examination reveals that the sword has been cast of an alloy of copper and tin. It also contains more than ten other rare metals. The surface was coated with chromium that has prevented corrosion and rust. This shows that 2,000 years ago China’s technique of casting and metallurgy reached an amazingly high level.

In December 1980, archeologists discovered two teams of color-painted bronze chariots 20 meters to the west of Qin Shihuang’s mausoleum. This has added more splendors to the museum. They are listed as No.1 and No. 2 chariot respectively according to the order of their discovery. Both chariots are single-shaft and drafted by four horses. No.1 chariot was named High Chariot. The charioteers and the passengers all stood in it. No.2 was named Security Chariot, which has two cabins; the front compartment is for the charioteer and the rear one is for the emperor. The rear compartment has a window on both sides as well as in the front and a door at the back. It is said that the chariots are used to hold the emperor’s soul for inspection. The chariots and horses are half life-size, consisting of more than 3,400 component parts and 1,720 pieces of gold and silver decorations and ornaments. They are luxurious and graceful. Test studies have revealed that the making of the bronze chariots and horses involve such techniques as casting, welding, riveting, embedding, and chiseling.

The bronze chariots and horses were manufactured with high technology and modeled vividly. They are the earliest and most exquisite bronze treasures made in Chinese history and the largest bronze ware ever discovered in the history of world archaeology. They prove that the technique of chariot manufacture during the Qin period was undoubtedly advanced.