It was absolutely fascinating so I thought I'd share some of  the knowledge I gleaned here:

On loan from the Museum of the Terracotta Army, the British Museum was displaying a dozen soldiers from the First Emperors collection.  In all, 120 objects were on display.

The soldiers and other exhibits on display came from the tomb of Qin Shihuangdi, the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty.  There were soldiers of different ranks, each with their own distinct facial features, acrobats, bureaucrats, musicians and bronze birds.  Showing the wealth of artistry and creative talent that was employed by the Emperor, the terracotta characters and soldiers are utterly unique.

The creations are an amazing example of hand made mass productions from a period when it would have taken a great deal of time to make even one of the soldiers.  Displayed alongside the army were more domestic figures intended to entertain the Emperor in the afterlife, rather than protect him as the soldiers were supposed to do.  Rarely seen outside of China the extra figures were only discovered in 1998.

The First Emperor is believed to have been one of the world's greatest rulers.  Over 2000 years ago he founded what was to become the nation of China.  He also built a vast tomb complex, an eternal empire underground, guarded by a terracotta army.

The First Emperor was born Ying Zheng in 259BC.  At the age of 13 he became King of Qin - one of seven main states competing for power and at war with each other (see map). 

Under his leadership Qin conquered the other states using highly developed weapons technology and military strategy.  The exhibition included examples of weapons like crossbows where any parts likely to wear or break were mass developed, so they could simply be replaced as required.  I don't think this army was ever without considerable fire power.

After completing his campaign, the King of Qin declared himself Qin Shihuangdi: First August Divine Emperor of the Qin.  To govern his empire, he introduced reforms and enforced strict laws..  He planned to join walls from conquered states to create a great wall, and built new roads and canals.  

Standard weights and measures, a single currency and a universal script allowed him to rule more easily.  He built more than 270 palaces in his capital city Xianyang, as a display of power and to house the rulers of the states he conquered.

The First Emperor wanted to govern forever and tried many potions the prolong his life.  He also spent more than 30 years building his tomb complex, a palace where he could rule forever in the afterlife.  At the centre of the complex was his tomb.  In 1974 a farmer digging nearby found a terracotta head.  He had discovered a pit of terracotta warriors.

Around 7000 terracotta soldiers have now been found buried in three pits outside the tomb, standing guard.  Archaeologists have also excavated pottery entertainers, civil officials and musicians, bronze chariots and birds, and real horses, in an area 56 km sq.

The First Emperor's tomb itself - rumoured to contain rivers of mercury - still remains undisturbed, waiting for technology to develop which may reveal its secrets with minimal disturbance.

I find it very hard to imagine and appreciate the full scale of the army.  This picture depicts just part of Pit 1 where the soldiers are lined up in military formation.  Pit 1 is estimated to hold about 6000 warriors.  Only 1000 have been excavated so far.

Life and death of the First Emperor:
259BC - birth
246BC - becomes King of Qin and constriction of tomb begins
230-221BC - conquers other states
221BC - becomes First Emperor of China and Qin Dynasty begins
215BC - construction of great wall begins
210BC - death and burial in tomb, son becomes Second Emperor
207BC - Second Emperor commits suicide
206BC - Qin Dynasty ends and Han Dynasty begins

Hope you found this interesting!