A series of important discoveries were made during the third archaeological excavation at Pit No.1 of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shihuang, according to the website of the State Administration of Cultural Relics Heritage.
These precious cultural relics include color painted drums and a complete fabric crossbow sleeve.
Although color painted drums were previously discovered in several pits, the surfaces of those drums were not very clear. The current excavation extensively launched the elaborate small-area dissection and fortunately found two color painted drum relics. The upper surfaces of the drums have sunk and bonded together with the lower surfaces because of the extrusion of silt soil.
Although several mussel-shaped crossbow sleeves had previously been discovered, most are mixed with crossbows, therefore, the form of the sleeve could not be seen clearly. The 150-centimeter-long crossbow sleeve discovered during the current excavation is completely separated from the crossbow and dropped at the feet of a terracotta figure. The composition and surface situation of the fabric sleeve are very clear and even the white suture lines at the edge can be seen clearly.
According to sources, relics with fragile materials are very hard to find in Shanxi region because of its natural environment. The new relics discovered during the third archaeological excavation at the Pit No.1 broadened the research field of terracotta warriors and horses excavation and are the most precious treasures of the pits of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shihuang.
Source: People's Daily [October 18, 2010]