In 1974, when I was a 10 year-old-girl, farmers in China digging a well discovered Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army! This enormously important archaelogical find includes 8,099 life-size Chinese terra cotta figures of warriors and horses. Each figure is different, made by hand, to show unique features and hairstyles. This army of clay is near the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in Xi'an Shaanxi. Along with this army is an entire underground necropolis, filled with treasure and jewels. This empire below the ground and attendant forces were supposed to give the emperor a realm to rule after he died.Based on historical records, they think that over 700,000 people took 38 years to complete this necropolis, mausoleum and tomb, and army for Emperor Qin and he was buried there when he died in the 200s BC.
Some of these miracles of creation have travelled to Barcelona, Madrid, and London. And, now, alas, reports indicate that they are being destroyed by pollution and soot in poorly regulated, rapidly industrializing dear China. You can read more about these works of art, these miracles of humanity at the following links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terracotta_Army
or
http://worldheritage.heindorffhus.dk/frame-ChinaMausoleumQin.htm