Xu Weihong (SHI GANG)

The Mausoleum of the First Qin (221 B.C.-206 B.C.) Emperor is known the world over for its magnificent terracotta warriors and horses. Unearthed from the 2,000-square-meter excavated area in Pit 1 are eight wooden chariots; 32 terracotta horses pulling the chariots; 1,087 terracotta warriors; 486 bronze swords, lances, halberds, dagger-axes, hooks, crossbows and other weapons; 280 bundles of bronze arrowheads; 10,895 scattered arrowheads; and a large number of chariot and horse ornaments.

These comprise a formidable army of chariot-equipped infantry designed to guard the mausoleum of the first emperor of a unified China. At this archeologists' Mecca in Lintong near Xi'an in Shaanxi Province, Xu Weihong is leading a group of specialists in digging the pit for the third time.

At 1 p.m. sharp on June 13, Chinese archeologists started their third round of excavation of Pit 1 of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, aiming to explore an area of about 200 square meters. Three months later, Xu and her team have failed to discover any of the treasures that had been widely anticipated. But she has not lost heart.

Aspiring archeologist

Xu, 43, was born in Beijing, received her education in Gansu and Jilin provinces and graduated from Jilin University in 1989. Inspired by renowned archeologist Xia Nai, she said, she made up her mind to seek a career in archeology.

Xia made headlines when he died in June 1985, when Xu was applying to university. "Not only did Mr. Xia's name sound elegant, but his scholarly career was also attractive to me," Xu said. "I wanted to follow in his footsteps." With this thought, she entered the Department of Archeology at Jilin University.

As a student of archeology, Xu often dreamed of exploring the wilderness and tasting the joy of uncovering ancient mysteries with her small shovel.

After graduation, Xu began to work with the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses in Lintong. At that time, the museum was engaged in a massive expansion program, planning to dig Pit 2 of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and open it to the public. Xu took part in the excavation under the guidance of veteran archeologists including Yuan Zhongyi, known as the Father of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses for his pioneering efforts.

Xu's career reached a climax when she took charge of the third round of excavation of Pit 1 this year. To her, however, outdoor archeological missions are more appealing.

Fieldwork is more exciting than the routine work at the mausoleum, she said.

"All the artifacts at the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor date back to the same period and were used for the same purpose," she explained. "In the field, however, you can discover relics from different periods and of various uses. It is like reliving history."

Xu said that since the basic framework of the pit had already been defined, few surprises would come up. When they get fed up with the uneventful days, team members cannot help but recall the excitement they felt camping and working in the wild.

Xu was charged with leading an archeological team to preserve the relics along the route of China's South-North Water Diversion project in June 2006. As the only female member, she brought fun as well as some inconvenience to the team. For example, she had to put up an "occupied" sign when she used the bathroom. Though it was unbearably hot in the tent, she had to sleep with her clothes on.

It seems that Xu's love affair with archeology has lasted for two decades, no matter what conditions she works in.

Terracotta beautician

Substantive breakthroughs in digging and relic protection technologies have given Xu's team an edge over the team led by Yuan Zhongyi 30 years ago. Over the years, archeologists have also shifted their focus from what they can obtain to how to better protect unearthed artifacts.

Back in 1975, archeologists covered lacquer paintings on the terracotta figures with chemicals to prevent them from peeling off. But this method changed the luster of the surface since the protected areas tended to brighten. In the 1980s, archeologists protected the paintings by injecting reinforcing agents between the lacquer and the terracotta figures. The latest technology today allows archeologists to reinforce the paintings with electron beam radiation.

"We always leave a thin layer of earth on terracotta figures with lacquer paintings when digging them out of the pit," Xu said. "We use cotton swabs to clear the earth little by little. At the same time, we take initial steps to reinforce and moisten them."

Sometimes, they spend days clearing a terracotta warrior's eye. The lacquer on the gowns of the warriors is so thin that archeologists need to exercise extreme caution. After finishing all procedures, they send the terracotta figures to labs for electron beam radiation.

"I feel as if we are performing plastic surgery on the terracotta figures," she said.

Both archeologists and soldiers took part in the first round of excavation in a bid to ensure completion by 1979 when the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses was due to open its doors. As a result of hasty digging, many historical details on the terracotta figures were simply ignored.

Specialized relic protection personnel are involved in the ongoing excavation program. On Xu's team, there are four archeologists, four relic protection professionals and eight technicians. Three of them are experienced members that participated in the first round of excavation. With adequate manpower and time, Xu said her team can pay closer attention to details.

For example, the handles of swords and other weapons unearthed at the mausoleum are usually wrapped with hemp cord. "In the past, archeologists had no time to do further research and simply noted down this fact. Now, they can probe into the development of the textile industry in the Qin Dynasty by studying the amount and design of the hemp cord discovered," Xu said.

Devoted to her career at the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, Xu often visualizes the day when archeologists reconstruct the emperor's stunning terracotta army.

A caring mother

Though preoccupied with her job, Xu shows great affection for her daughter. "She is 17 years old and will enter college soon," she said proudly.

Before starting work on the excavation project, Xu followed a flexible work schedule. She did academic research at home, giving her time to look after her daughter. Now she leaves for work at 6 a.m. and doesn't return home until 7 p.m. "When we unearth artifacts, I sometimes work late into the night and have to sleep on a makeshift bed in my office," Xu said. On such occasions, her daughter is her biggest concern.

As the team leader of the widely watched excavation project, Xu handles misunderstandings and unfair accusations with tolerance and a smile.

Because of fires and floods in the past, many terracotta figures with colorful paintings were found to be damaged. Those unaware of the real reason often put the blame on the archeologists. Every day Xu overhears tour guides tell visitors that lacquer paintings on the terracotta warriors and horses were destroyed as they were unearthed.

"We become so enraged that we want to drive them away," Xu joked.

Shortly after the project began, Internet users raised numerous doubts online, which Xu took as a kind of motivation. Cao Wei, Deputy Curator of the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses, had told the team members, "You will become masters in archeology precisely because many people are watching you and urging you to do your best."

A note on Xu's workbench just beside the pit reads, "Be forgiving, team-minded, courteous, quick in action, efficient and ready to smile."

"You have to be a decent person before you can do well in your job," she said. In her view, a piece of thought-provoking advice can make a greater difference than rigid work discipline--a belief that has helped her and her team members maintain their vitality.