On 29th March 1974, a local farmer from Xi Yang Village in Ling Tong County was drilling a well in search of water.  By chance, during the process, he discovered some fragments of terra-cotta and ancient bronze weapons.  News of the discovery was reported to the local government and in due course, an archaeological team arrived on 17th July 1974.  Some five years later, Emperor Qin’s Terra-cotta Army Museum opened to the public. 
Over the past forty years the Terra-cotta Army has become the largest and best-known on-site museum in China, attracting some 2 million visitors a year.  It is now classified as a world-class cultural heritage site.
Today, three exhibition halls cover the site which continues the excavations of the life-size soldiers and horses.