Similarities Between the Terracotta Warriors Emperor Qin Mausoleum and Ancient Egyptians Tombs

A funerary artwork under the name of Terracota warriors from mausoleum of the first Qin emperor of China was based on the first emperor to unite China, Qin Shihaung (259-210 B.C.E). Qin Shihaung wanted to achieve immortality, leading him to build himself a tomb in which was guarded by a life-size terracotta army including warriors, infantrymen, horses, chariots and more made from terracotta. A complete complex was dug up underground consisting of garden and stables, bronze ritual vessels, jade jewelry, and many gold and silver ornaments. Qin lined his complex with many treasuries to resemble the sun, moon, and stars. Even though Qin was known for having violent and destructive strategies, he was also wise in regards to military strategies.

After ascending into the throne by the age of 13, Qin immediately started to plan his burial and his “underground palace” portraying the importance of his afterlife to him. Meanwhile, the nearby chambers contain more figures such as acrobats, musicians, workers, government officials, exotic animals, and more indicating that Emperor Qin had more plans for the afterlife and is going to continue on his legacy. All of the figurines are created with terracotta, or baked earth, a type of burgundy clay. Over 720,000 laborers and numerous of work-shoppers constructed it. The terracotta warriors were made in China. Originally each warrior was painted with bright vibrant colors but due to the publication to air, the figurines flaked leaving only the terracotta base visible. Less than a mile away, another chamber was discovered that has not been excavated or destroyed. Inside this chamber was emperor Qin’s tomb. Uncommonly, there are high levels of mercury around the complex which leads many historians to believe that the emperor may have made a system of mercury rivers. Qin may have made a system of mercury rivers because he believed in the life-giving power of mercury. The mercury rives are flowing through mountains of bronze that are set-up in a way to not damage the treasures inside. Emperor Qin was not the only emperor that didn’t want to be alone during his afterlife.

Ancient Egyptians tombs, such as Tutankhamun’s tomb, innermost coffin, portray many factors indicating the fear of being alone and wanting to continue their legacy during the afterlife. Tutankhamun’s tomb, innermost coffin is a sarcophagus that had three coffins for King Tut’s body. The outer two coffins were made from wood that is covered with gold and gems such as lapis lazuli and turquoise. Meanwhile, the third inner coffin was made with solid gold. The sarcophagus was made to protect and preserve King Tut’s body during the afterlife. The back of the mask is coated with “Spell 151b from the Book of The Dead” which is the road map Egyptians used for the afterlife. This also serves as a protection for some of King Tut’s limbs as he moves into the underworld. King Tut wears a fake beard that associates him to the “image of a god.” He also wears a broad collar that is shaped like a falcon head associating him with the god Egyptian god, Horus. Symbolizing the king’s right to rule, he holds a crook and flail. Also, the goddess Nekhbet (vulture) and Wadjet (corba), surrounded with precious stones, stretch their wings across his torso. Under these two goddesses, Isis and Nephthys are engraved into the gold lid. The images of Tut is portrayed as a god throughout the sarcophagus. The death mask was originally on top of the mummy’s shoulder and is in the innermost coffin. Tut is wearing a striped nemes headdress that is typically worn by pharaohs. King Tut was nine years old when came to rule, meaning after Amarna age and is New kingdom. Tut lived from 1332-1323 BCE.

Both artworks carry an upper-class individual (such as king or emperor) and “carry” them to the afterlife. Both King Tut and Qin Shihaung wanted to achieve an “underground palace” to carry them to the afterlife, in which they succeded. Both King Tut and Qin Shihaung became emperors at very young ages. Qin Shihaung took the throne at the age of nine and King Tut took the throne at the age of thirteen. Once both emperors took the throne, both started to immediately plan their afterlife. King Tut’s death was unexpected and rushed, while Emperor Qin was planned and thought out since the age of thirteen, ever since he took the throne.