兵马俑博物馆(Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors)(2)

　　vault 3 is a modest building more resembling a gallery. it has 69 pottery warriors with defensive weapons and a wooden chariot pulled by four magnificent horses. the structure of the gallery and the line-up of the soldiers suggest that this was likely the headquarters of the troops of vault 1 and 2.however, the commander is missing. many archaeologists believe that since the underground army represents the emperor's garrison under his direct command, no marshal was necessary.

　　altogether ten thousand pieces of actual weaponry have been unearthed from the three vaults, including arrow-heads, swords., spears and halberds. two long-handled swords dug out recently are still sharp and gleaming despite their burial for more than two thousand years. some bronze arrow-heads from vault 2 are 41 cm in length and 100 grams in weight. they are the biggest bronze weapons excavated in china. important to the study of qin technology was the discovery of bronze arrow-heads and swords treated with a preservative that has prevented erosion for 22 centuries. chemical analysis revealed the sword to have been cast of an alloy of copper, tin and various other elements, including nickel, magnesium, and cobalt. the arrow-heads which contain 7. 71 percent lead are considered by archaeologists to be the world's most poisonous.

　　experts expect future discoveries to unearth even more amazing art treasures. but they warn that it may require the efforts of one or two generations to recover the entire tomb complex of emperor qin shi huang.

　　the three vaults are well preserved in three modern constructions, each with an arched dome and a corridor along the side of the vault so that visitors may overlook the restored figures of warriors, horses and chariots in their original formations. vault 2 is equipped with devices for regulating temperature, lighting and air humidity.