Archaeologists have unearthed 20 more of the life-size sculpted soldiers, which were buried with their weapons presumably to guard China's first emperor, buried in 210 B.C. Shi-huang-di, king of the state of Qin from 246 B.C. to 221 B.C., he ended the Warring States Period by unifying the states into one empire, with himself as the head of government, ruling just 11 years before he died. During his reign as emperor, though, he had created two of the world's greatest monuments: the Great Wall and the Terracotta Army.

The warriors range from 5-foot-8 to 6-foot-6, with the height increasing with military rank. Many of the warriors are armed with spears and swords and stand in battle formation, ready to do battle with anyone who disturbs the emperor's tomb. Some of the warriors were armed with crossbows that were designed to fire if disturbed. Some warriors are in terracotta chariots. Terracotta horses feature in the army as well, either pulling chariots or wearing saddles in anticipation of bearing riders.

A group of farmers digging a well in 1974 discovered the figures. Since, then excavations have been sporadic and slow. Archaeologists have found the warriors in three pits a mile northeast of the emperor's tomb, which is in Xian, the capital of Shaanxi Province, in the northwest of China.

The newly discovered figures are well preserved but are in pieces. Experts at an onsite museum will restore them, reports said. Among the figures found are both warriors and generals.