Recent scientific research indicates that the famous Terracotta Army, interred near the ancient Chinese city of Xian to safeguard Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife, may have been constructed by a more diverse workforce than previously assumed. While historians traditionally attributed the creation of these thousands of life-sized figures to male artisans, an examination of fingerprints found on the clay statues reveals that many were likely produced by women and minors. This discovery challenges long-standing historical narratives regarding the labor force employed during the Qin dynasty around 210 BC. By analyzing these physical traces left in the material, researchers are gaining new insights into the demographics of the ancient craftsmen tasked with building this monumental funerary complex.
Source : South China Morning Post
Photo : South China Morning Post
