Xi'an's Terracotta Warrior Museum is beginning to release the major findings of its third excavation.

310 small items including instruments used for horses and chariots, weapons and tools, have been newly excavated. 12 clay horses and 120 pottery figurines have also been dug up. Some of the finds have surprised archaeologists.

These include a lacquer shield used by horse riders, a tool box for chariots, a crossbow, painted drum and items bearing the unique Chinese purple coloring. The third excavation started in 2009. It covers about 200 square meters of pit number one - the largest and the most visited of the museum. The dig is expected to be finished within 2 or 3 years.