TERRACOTTA WARRIORS

Materials: Terracotta Baked Clay Reddish in colour Paint Lacquer Varnish Clear or coloured High resistance but vulnerable to UV Light and excessive dryness

TOMB
Over 8000 terracotta warriors 4 chambers Moist earth

PROBLEM
(Langhals, 2003) If you excavate them, they dry out instantly and in five minutes, the paint peels off,

PROBLEM
1. The water binding agent that the pigments of paint was applied on broke down after 2200 years. 2. After the earth is removed, the water dries up and the lacquer cracks. 3. Because the lacquer layer is underneath the layer of paint, the paint peels off.

PRESERVATION
Currently, there are 2 methods for preservation.

PRESERVATION
Method 1: 1. Remove the moist dirt and spray with water. 2. Moist compress, made from wet cotton wool, is then applied to the statue. 3. An adhesive is used to stick the lacquer layer to the terracotta. 4. The figures undergo fine cleaning in the laboratory and the individual parts of the warrior are strengthened.

PRESERVATION
Method 1 Cons: This treatment takes a very long time to carry out.

Taken from <Chinese Terracotta Army: not Gray but brightly coloured> by Krejsa. S

PRESERVATION
Method 2: 1. The excavated items are placed into containers where the moisture level match the moisture level of the soil. 2. Aqueous solutions of hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) are applied on the paint surface. 3. When the hydroxyethylmethacrylate has diffused into the lacquer layer, a high electron beam is applied to the surface. 4. This causes the hydroxyethylmethacrylate to harden, forming a glue to bond the lacquer layer to the terracotta.

PRESERVATION
Method 2 Cons: Only tested out on individual fragments that are later pieced together. Very expensive to use the beam.

CONSERVATION
The environment for conservation should be: Dust-free Low light levels Moderate and constant humidity levels Moderate and constant temperature levels

PAST VS PRESENT
In the past: Graves and tombs were used to contain the dead as cremation was not invented yet. The dead person would need to be buried quickly as at that time, it was not possible to preserve the body. The tombs would also contain religious and valuable artifacts.

PAST VS PRESENT
In the present, Before the funeral and cremation, the body is embalmed to preserve it to be presentable during the funeral. Cremation is more often used to handle the dead as there is not enough space to always have burials. The ashes from cremation either placed in a jar or scattered in the sea. Offerings are burnt for the dead.

UNIFYING THEME
The vase shows that the Chinese have a fine appreciation of decorative and elegant objects. This shows the excellent craftsmanship of the craftsman in the society.

Secondly, the photo of a Chinese marriage shows that Chinese value family.
Lastly, the terracotta warriors shows the excellent craftsmanship of the craftsman and shows the amazing works that the craftsman make.

REFERENCES
(Coghlan. A, 2003) <Chemist stop flaky fate of terracotta warriors> (Krejsa.S , 2003) <Chinese Terracotta Army: Not Gray, but Brightly Coloured>

(Lubow. A, 2009) <Terra Cotta soldiers on the march>

(Roach.J ) <Terra-Cotta Army Protects First Emperor's Tomb> (Rosenburg.J ) <1974 - Terracotta Army Discovered in China>