At the Terracotta Warriors site in Xi’an, a newly established conservation laboratory has opened to the public, allowing visitors to observe the delicate process of restoring the 2,000-year-old clay figures. The lab, inaugurated in 2024 to mark the 50th anniversary of the warriors’ discovery, is located in Pit No 1 and serves as a key component in the preservation of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Alongside the Pit No 1 laboratory, a professional excavation and preservation facility in Pit No 2 has also been completed and is now operational. Together, these two centers create an integrated conservation system that oversees the full cycle of care for the Terracotta Warriors, from excavation and transport to restoration and long-term storage.

The Terracotta Warriors, originally buried with the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, have endured significant damage over two millennia. Exposure to fires, soil collapses, and fluctuations in underground water levels has resulted in substantial deterioration, particularly affecting the fragile original pigments. For many years, the remnants of the warriors’ painted surfaces deteriorated rapidly after excavation due to environmental changes, with paint layers curling, peeling, and flaking off.

The new facilities address these challenges by enabling the immediate transfer of unearthed clay figures to controlled environments where preservation work can begin without delay. Using a combination of stable humidity control, ultrasonic inspection, 3D scanning, and professional cleaning and reinforcement techniques, conservationists aim to stabilize and retain as much of the original pigmentation as possible.

This advanced approach marks a significant improvement in the protection of the Terracotta Warriors, ensuring that these life-sized relics, which have become symbols of China’s ancient cultural heritage, can be better preserved for future generations. The combined efforts of archaeological excavation and scientific restoration exemplify the ongoing commitment to safeguard this historic treasure site.