Advanced technology boosts conservation, restoration of Terracotta Warriors in NW China's Shaanxi

Restoration specialists piece together a terracotta warrior at the on-site conservation lab of the Pit No.1 of the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 3, 2026.

At the world-famous Terracotta Warriors site in Xi'an, visitors can now witness a once behind-the-scenes process -- experts meticulously restoring over 2,000-year-old clay soldiers. At the newly launched conservation lab in Pit No. 1, specialists piece fragmented pottery together manually, reviving scattered relics into solemn and life-size warriors.

The lab officially opened in 2024, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the discovery and excavation of the iconic Terracotta Warriors. A professional excavation and preservation facility in Pit No. 2 was also completed and put into operation. The two facilities form a full-cycle conservation system covering excavation, transportation, restoration and storage.

This advanced system greatly improves the protection of the warriors' original pigments. Buried underground for over 2,000 years, the Terracotta Warriors suffered severe damage from fires, soil collapses and underground water fluctuations, with most original colors fading away over time. Previously, surviving paint layer would easily curl, peel or flake off once exposed to drastic environmental changes after excavation. Today, newly unearthed painted relics are directly transferred to the on-site lab. Through keeping stable humidity control, ultrasonic inspection, 3D scanning, professional cleaning and reinforcement treatment, researchers now do their utmost to preserve the warriors' ancient original hues. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)