The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor - Terracotta Army facts

The Mummy franchise takes a spellbinding turn as the action shifts to Asia for the next chapter in the adventure series; The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, directed by Rob Cohen and starring Jet Li, Brendan Fraser and Maria Bello. Find out 10 great facts about the Terracotta Army!


1. The figures were underground for more than 2000 years.

2. They were discovered in 1974 by farmers trying to dig a well.

3. The 8,000 figures were all standing in battle formation.

4. Each figure had different, unique facial expressions and features, along with their clothing, hairstyle and the gesture of their limbs.

5. The head, arms, legs and torsos of the figures were created separately and then assembled.

6. There are many different figures, including horsemen, longbow bearers, archers, senior officers and generals.

7. After being completed, the army figures were placed in pits in a precise military formation according to their rank and duty.

8. Many of them held real weapons when buried which were preserved well with some of them still sharp when found.

9. The purpose of the Terracotta Army was to help the Chinese Emperor rule in his afterlife.

10. To date, more than a thousand warriors have been reassembled.


The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor is released on 6th August 2008.

Sources: Wikipedia, China Highlights.com, China Culture.org