How was the Terracotta Army discovered?

Answer 1

March 1974, several peasants of Xi Yang village (西杨村) were digging a well at the place, where is near the south of their village (1.5 km east to the mausoleum of Qin Shihuang). When they dug around 2 meters deep, red burnt earth and ash was dug out. Since there used to have some brickyards, the digging was proceeded without queries. When depth increased to 5 meters, construction met with obstacles, a layer of orderly arrayed slates, which made these villagers realise something was underneath. They began to widen the well and removed the slates, wishing to find a big treasure, but disappointed by some earthen heads and limbs found. Right after someone suspected the findings were idols of an ancient temple, the work had to be paused for fear of the consequence incurred by their blasphemous actions. Perhaps most of them wanted to keep it still, however, news spread out more quickly than thought. Many local inhabitants came to visit the site to have a close look at those "Stone Buddhas". Among the visitors, there were a few educated people and a journalist, so reports were sent and the Cultural Relics Bureau also noticed its worthiness. Then, protection and further actions were taken, which are clearer revealed to the public.