Unearthing the Foundations of History For archaeologists, few discoveries quicken the pulse like encountering rammed earth (夯土) – the compacted […]
The Puzzle of Xianyang: A Capital Without Walls Unlike traditional Chinese cities defined by orderly walls and gates, Xianyang—the capital […]
The Rise of Xianyang: Capital of a Ruthless Empire Xianyang, the capital of the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BCE), stood as […]
The City of Xianyang: A Tapestry of Power and Labor While the First Emperor’s terracotta warriors and grand palaces dominate […]
Unearthing a Bronze Artifact with a Story In the quiet excavation of a Qin-era tomb, archaeologists uncovered a bronze jian […]
The Relentless Rhythm of Chinese Archaeology The winter of 2017 found a weary archaeological team in Xianyang, Shaanxi province, fresh […]
The Historical Backdrop of Xianyang’s Royal Necropolis Xianyang, the ancient capital of the Qin state and later the Qin Dynasty […]
The Rise of Xianyang: Capital of a Unifying Empire The ancient city of Xianyang emerged as the political heart of […]
The Spine of an Empire: Qin’s Architectural Theology Ancient Chinese cosmology viewed symmetry and centrality as sacred principles—both in the […]
The Grand Vision of China’s First Emperor In the twilight years of China’s Warring States period, a remarkable transformation occurred […]
When Earth Mimicked the Sky: The Origins of “Fa Tian” Urban Planning The concept of designing cities to reflect celestial […]
From Frontier Outpost to Imperial Heart In 350 BCE, Duke Xiao of Qin made a decision that would reshape Chinese […]
The Underground Empire of Qin Shi Huang Buried beneath a 76-meter-tall earthen pyramid in Lintong District, Xi’an, lies one of […]
Unearthing an Ancient Avian Paradise In 2001-2003, archaeologists made a stunning discovery outside the perimeter wall of Emperor Qin Shi […]
Unearthing a Regal Relic In the second tier of the mausoleum complex, archaeologists made a stunning discovery west of the […]
A Tomb Fit for an Emperor: Origins and Early Construction The Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, stands […]
The Sacred Landscape of Mount Li Nestled at the northern foot of Mount Li, the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang—originally […]
Unearthing the Emperor’s True Priorities The Terracotta Army has become so iconic that it overshadows the grander vision of China’s […]
Unearthing the Mysteries of Qin Military Technology For twenty years of excavating the Terracotta Army pits, archaeologists only encountered fragments […]
The Weight of a Weapon: Qin’s Sword Culture in Context The dramatic assassination attempt by Jing Ke on China’s first […]
From Humble Beginnings to Technological Pioneers The story of Qin’s bronze swords begins in the tumultuous Spring and Autumn Period […]
The Origins of the Sword in Chinese Warfare The sword emerged in China as a versatile short weapon—double-edged, pointed, and […]
