A domestic tourist chiseled off the heads of two foreign clay warriors of the Terracotta Army in Xi’an, China, last Friday. The person jumped over a guardrail and safety protective netting. With this dangerous maneuver, they were even able to enter a staff-only area of the exhibit. This act threatened the safety of our historical artifacts. It raised alarms about the way visitors were treating one of China’s most significant archaeological sites.
The Terracotta Army was commissioned around 209 BC. It was originally intended to protect the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of a united China. This extraordinary collection includes nearly 8,000 life-sized soldiers. Today, it is an iconic symbol of ancient Chinese military prowess and artistic sophistication. Since 1987, it has worn that UNESCO World Heritage Site designation like a badge of honor. This designation underscores its historical importance and extraordinary artistry.
According to public security officials, the tourist “climbed over the guardrail and the protective net and jumped” into the display area. After entering, the person allegedly “pushed and pulled” on two clay warriors, causing damage that was later categorized as “significant,” “minor,” and “major.” The pit containing the Terracotta Army goes down as far as 5.4 meters (18 feet). This depth further complicates the context.
The Terracotta Army holds its place as perhaps the most popular tourist sight in Xi’an, capital of Shaanxi province. Each year, millions of visitors continue to stream to experience its spectacular beauty. This action was likely unintentional, it nonetheless led to a valuable reminder from the authorities about the need to protect sites of cultural heritage.
Public security officials stated, “The individual was controlled and may suffer from mental illness,” highlighting concerns about the motivations behind such reckless behavior. This recent incident is a wake-up call to remain on guard. We can’t allow anyone to rip our hard-won protections away from shoulders of our historical sites.