秦始皇兵马俑是当地村民1974年3月在田里打井时偶然发现的。经考古学家探测，认定为秦代兵马俑坑。后经勘探和试掘，共发现三处兵马俑坑，按发现时间把它们分别定名为兵马俑一、二、三号坑。三个坑总面积为22，780平方米。

Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses were discovered accidentally in March 1974 when the local farmers were digging a well in the fields. Archeologists believe that the terra-cotta warriors and horses were from the Qin Dynasty. After many explorations and test excavation, three pits have been discovered, covering an area of 22,780 square meters.

这一发现震惊中外。为了保护这些罕见的历史文物，1975年国务院批准在一号坑原址上建一座占地16，300平方米的博物馆。1979年国庆节博物馆正式对外开放。此后，兵马俑3号坑、2号坑国十大名胜之一，被联合国教科文组织列为世界文化遗产。

   This discovery created a world sensation. In order to protect these rare historical relics, in 1975, the State Council granted permission to construct a 16,300-square-meter museum over the site of Pit No 1. The museum was officially open to the public on the nation’s National Day, October 1, 1979. Later, exhibition halls housing Pit No. 3, No. 2 and the Bronze Chariots and Horses were built and open to the public in succession. The Museum and the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang have been listed as one of the country’s ten great historical sites and designated by the UNESCO as a World Culture Heritage Site.

    一号坑呈长方形，东西长230米，南北宽62米，深5米，面积16，620平方米。一号坑内的兵马俑完全按当时的实战军阵排列。坑道的东端长廊里站立着三排武士俑，每排70，共210件。这些武士身着战袍，脚打绑腿，手持弓弩，面向东方，是整个军阵的前锋部队。其后是十道土夯的隔墙隔成的11个过道，里面排列着步兵与车兵相间的38路纵队。兵俑全部身穿铠甲，手持长兵器。他们是整个军阵的主力部队。另外，在主力部队的南北和西头，分别有一排武士俑，他们都面朝外，分别是主力部队的左右翼和后卫部队。在试掘的960平方米范围内，出土武士俑500多个，战车4辆，挽马24匹。据测量，一号坑共有兵马俑6000多件。

Pit No.1 is rectangular in shape. It is 230 meters from east to west, 62 meters from north to south, 5 meters deep, and covers an area of 16,620 square meters. Warriors in this pit are arranged in a practical battle array. In the long corridor at the east end of the pit stand three rows of terra-cotta warriors, 70 in each, 210 in all. Armed with bows and arrows, the soldiers are wearing battle tunics and puttees, and facing east. They are regarded as the vanguard of the battle formation. These are followed by 38 columns of troops, consisting of infantrymen and charioteers that are arranged in 11 corridors separated by 10 earth-rammed walls. The warriors all wear armors and carry long-shaft weapons. They make up the main body of the battle formation. Furthermore, at the north, south, and west end, there is one row of terra-cotta warriors respectively, all facing outward. They are the flanks and rear guards of the entire battle formation. From the 960 square meters testing trenches, some 500 warriors, 4 chariots, and 24 drafting horses have been unearthed. According to the density, 6,000 pieces in all can be excavated from Pit No.1.

    二号坑呈曲尺形，面积6000平方米，是一个由四个独立的单元、四个不同的兵种编制而成的混合军阵。第一单元是由334个弩兵组成的小方阵。第二单元是由64乘战车组成的方阵。每乘战车有三个军士。第三单元是由19乘战车和100个兵俑组成的方阵。第四单元是由6乘战车、124个骑兵和鞍马组成的方阵。四个单元既是一个互相紧密相连的大军阵，又是四个独立的、灵活机动的、能攻能守的小军阵。据估计，二号坑可出土兵马俑1，500多件。

Pit No.2 is “L”- shaped, covering an area of 6,000 square meters. It is actually a mixed battle formation consisting of military forces in four separate arrays. The first array is composed of 334 archers， the second of 64 chariots with three warriors on each. The third array includes 19 chariots and 100 warriors. The fourth array consists of 6 chariots, 124 cavalrymen and saddled horses. Together, the four arrays constitute a large battle formation, closely connected with one another. At the same time, each of the four arrays is an independent division, flexible and capable of both attacking and defending. It is estimated that altogether 1,500 pieces are expected to be excavated from Pit No.2.