Netflix documentary explores China’s terracotta army excavation and Qin dynasty’s origins

It was 50 years ago, in March 1974, that farmers digging a well in Shaanxi province in northwest China unearthed fragments of clay figures, leading to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time.

Beneath their feet stretched an incredible treasure: a vast underground city guarded by an army of life-size terracotta figures buried there for more than 2,000 years.

The statues – 8,000 have been unearthed to date – mostly depict soldiers, but also servants, entertainers and horses.

Bronze chariots, water birds, weapons and ritual vessels, jade jewellery, and gold and silver trinkets were also unearthed in a sprawling mausoleum built to protect China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in the afterlife.

Mysteries of the Terracotta Warriors, a new Netflix documentary from British director James Tovell (Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb), explores the excavation efforts and the history behind the ancient tomb as well as the rise and fall of the Qin dynasty (221-207 BC) which Qin Shi Huang founded.