Archeologists have unearthed more than 310 pieces of cultural relics from the No. 1 Pit of the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang during a recent excavation of his mausoleum complex, Xinhua reported. The new discoveries include over 100 terracotta soldiers and war horses, two sets of chariots, as well as some weaponry, drums and a shield.

The shield especially is an exciting discovery, because no shields had previously been found in the three pits of terracotta warriors.

In addition to the No. 1 Pit, the 9901 Pit is another excavation site. The excavation of the 9901 Pit started in August of last year, and more than 20 terracotta figures have been unearthed so far.

A giant figure from the pit has attracted much attention. The headless figure is 2.2 meters tall and its foot, which was found nearby, is 32 centimeters in length.

Experts said this figure is bigger than any other one found in the pit and it could be as much as 2.5 meters tall if the figure's head were present.

An expert said that judging from the gestures and shapes of the terracotta figures and the appliances found in the pit, the figures were performers entertaining the emperor.

As the excavations progress, experts have confirmed that fires had been lit in some of the pits.

They have ruled out that these fires were part of an ancient ritual, as only several pits showed signs of burning.

(China.org.cn June 12, 2012)

據新華社報道，在最近一次對秦始皇陵的發掘中，考古學家從一號坑發掘出310多件文物，其中包括數量過百的陶俑、陶馬、戰車2乘、部分武器、戰鼓以及一枚盾牌。

盾牌的發現尤其令人驚喜，因為三個俑坑還從未發現過盾牌。

除了一號坑，9901坑是另一個發掘點，其發掘工作始于去年8月，目前已出土20多個陶俑。

其中，一個巨大的陶俑吸引了人們的注意。這座無頭陶俑高2.2米，它的腳在身軀附近找到，長度為32厘米。

專家稱該陶俑比9901坑中出土的其它陶俑都要大，如果有頭的話高度將達2.5米。

一位專家表示，從陶俑的身姿形態及坑內發現的器具來看，這些陶俑是為秦始皇表演的“演員”。

隨著發掘工作的推進，專家們已經確認俑坑中曾經起火。

由于只有部分地點有火燒痕跡，目前已排除了起火是某種古老儀式中一環的可能性。