In 1974, farmers digging a well near Xi’an, China, uncovered fragments of clay that led to one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century: the Terracotta Army. Created over 2,000 years ago for China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, the massive burial complex houses thousands of life-sized figures.
Beyond their numbers, what caught the attention of scholars was the striking variation in facial features. Researchers began asking: were these differences artistic choices, or could the warriors represent real individuals?
An Army Unearthed
The initial discovery led to a vast excavation revealing over 7,000 infantrymen, archers, charioteers, and cavalry figures, along with weapons, horses, and carriages. The site forms part of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, located near modern-day Xi’an.
The warriors were arranged in battle formation, each detailed with distinct armor, hairstyles, and facial expressions. The level of craftsmanship raised questions about how they were made—and whether each figure was unique.
Focusing on the Ears
To address this, archaeologist Andrew Bevan and colleagues at University College London conducted a study using 3D imaging and computer modeling. They focused on the ears, one of the most distinctive parts of the human body.
The team photographed and analyzed 30 warrior ears from figures displayed at the mausoleum. Human ears, like fingerprints, have highly individual patterns and contours, making them ideal for this type of forensic comparison.
No Two Ears Alike
The team found that no two ears in their sample were identical. The shapes of the helix, antihelix, lobes, and tragus all varied significantly. This suggested that the sculptors did not rely on standardized molds for the heads.
The presence of inscriptions on some warriors, such as one marked “Xian Yue,” provided clues about the artisans responsible for specific figures. However, no direct correlation was found between specific artisans and particular ear shapes.
A Massive Undertaking
With over 13,000 ears estimated across the full army, the analysis is far from complete. The ongoing research aims to determine whether these figures were modeled after actual soldiers from Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s army.
If confirmed, the Terracotta Army may provide not only a military record but a preserved visual archive of individuals from ancient China. For now, the evidence supports the idea that individuality was built into the creation of each warrior, and that the ears may hold the key to understanding why.
In 1974, farmers digging a well near Xi’an, China, uncovered clay fragments that led to one of the greatest finds of the 20th century: the Terracotta Army.
Created for Qin Shi Huang, it held thousands of figures with unique faces.
But were they modeled on real people? 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/OmXS7d8Glh
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) July 3, 2025