In 1974, farmers digging a well in China struck buried clay fragments and revealed an emperor’s 2,000-year-old secret army
TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 24, 2026, 17:05 (IST)
In 1974, farmers in Shaanxi, China, digging for water near the Li Mountains, unearthed fragments of terracotta figures. This accidental discovery revealed the vast underground mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, containing a lifelike army of uniquely crafted clay soldiers. The find, made while seeking irrigation, unexpectedly uncovered a significant historical legacy.