Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an

28. Firing Metnods

Kilns built to fire the terracotta figures were easily found around the site of the tomb. Firing within a kiln facilitated experimentation with different firing temperatures, raw materials, and types of decoration. The well formed nature of the earthenware would have been obtained by maintaining a temperature between 800 C and 900 C. Greater heat would have destroyed the even thickness while less will caused brittleness and breakage. The pure luster, high density and hardness of the figures are unique. Modern attempts have failed to create figures of similar quality.