The terracotta statues of the Qin Dynasty were meticulously crafted in workshops by skilled government laborers and local craftsmen. They primarily utilized readily available local materials for their creation.
The Manufacturing Process
The production of the Terracotta Army figures followed a systematic process, allowing for the creation of thousands of unique statues.
Creation of Parts
Instead of sculpting each figure entirely from a single block of clay, the craftsmen adopted a modular approach. The main components of the statues were created separately:
- Heads
- Arms
- Legs
- Torsos
This method likely allowed for specialization among workers and potentially increased efficiency in production.
Assembly and Finishing
Once the individual parts were formed, they were brought together for final assembly. The reference states that the pieces were then assembled by luting the pieces together. Luting is a process involving joining parts, often using a clay slip or paste, essentially acting as an adhesive before firing.
After assembly, details were added and the figures were prepared for firing. The process resulted in the iconic terracotta warriors and horses that stand guard in the mausoleum complex.
In summary, the creation involved skilled labor, local resources, and a well-organized, assembly-line-like process to produce the vast Terracotta Army.
