Thousands of tourists flocked to witness the first excavation of the 2,200-year-old terracotta warriors in Xian in 24 years yesterday, after the previous excavation was cut short due to technical problems.
The latest excavation, of 200 square metres of pit one - the largest of the three pits at the Qin Shihuang Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, is expected to take at least six months.
Parts of yesterday's five-hour excavation, which began at 1pm, were broadcast live on China Central Television (CCTV) and a local television channel in Shaanxi province . Visitors could also buy tickets to visit the museum to watch the excavation.
State media reported that a coloured clay figure, two chariots, each drawn by four horses, and a small spearhead had surfaced in the first day of excavation.
Xu Weihong , an archaeologist in the excavation team, told Xinhua that large areas of coloured painting were found on the clay figure unearthed yesterday and the team was satisfied with the preservation of the colours.
Cao Wei , the deputy curator of the museum, said: 'The most important discovery today was two four-horse chariots standing in tandem, very closely. It is the first time we have discovered such a thing.'