Two large scale-models of bronze chariots came unearthed in December 1980 and opened on October 1st, 1983, about 20 m (65.62 ft) east of Emperor Qin Shihuang's mausoleum. They were tagged Chariot No. 1 and No. 2 respectively. Bronze Chariots and Horses are the biggest items of bronze ware ever found in the world.
These were encased in the large wooden coffins for over two thousand years without any corrosion. These are half size scale-models of real chariots, faithfully copied down to the very details, complete with horses and people. No. 1 bronze chariot was the leading chariot of Emperor Qin Shi Huang with 2.25 m (7.38 ft) long and 1 m (3.28 ft) tall. No. 2 was the seat of Emperor Qin Shi Huang with 3.17 m (10.4 ft) long and 1 m (3.28 ft) tall. The technology and design have high quality that almost close to the technology we used today.
These two bronze chariots and horse is the masterpiece of bronze ware, represented high bronze-casting, mechanic and joining technology during the Qin Dynasty. Take bonnet of the two chariots for example, they are very thin only about 1 mm (.0394 in)– 4 mm (.1575 in), we can not copy them easily even in today. Two chariots are made up more than 7,000 pieces of spare parts that reappear wisdom of ancient people.
Production process of two chariots is very delicate and exact, especially details. No matter figures, horse, or equipment are vivid as real ones. Both of them are decorated with nearly 4,000 pieces of bullion, made the bronze chariots brilliant, glorious and honorable.
You can find more than 100 colored, special and unique drawings and patterns which made of many kinds of paints like vermeil, pink, and etc. in every nook and corner of the chariots. There are four kinds of patterns on the chariots including dragon with phoenix, diamond, cloud and geometry.
They were supposed to serve as the vehicle for the emperor's inspection tours in his afterlife. The chariots are decorated with geometric and cloud patterns. Coachmen armed with swords guard the chariots on both sides.
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