The city’s population in the fourth and third centuries BC was said to be 70,000 households, with at least 210,000 adult males. Scholars today believe this was somewhat exaggerated.

The ruins of the city are surrounded by over 100 tumuli, some as far as 10 kilometers away. Many of the tombs around Linzi have been looted in antiquity. In pits near what is considered the tomb of Duke Jing of Qi, over 600 sacrificed horses have been found arranged in two rows. The sacrificial horse pit is now the site of a museum, the Museum of the State of Qi.

Terra-Cotta Warriors.[Photo by Wang Qian/chinadaily.com.cn]

Terra-Cotta Warriors.[Photo by Wang Qian/chinadaily.com.cn]

Drinking vessel.[Photo by Wang Qian/chinadaily.com.cn]

Wang Qian contributed to the story