Two ancient terracotta soldiers damaged by tourist in China

A domestic tourist caused damage to two priceless terracotta warriors after illegally entering a restricted area of the world-renowned museum in Xi’an, Chinese authorities confirmed Saturday.

The 30-year-old man reportedly climbed over a guardrail and protective netting before jumping into one of the display pits on Friday, according to a statement from local public security officials.

Once inside the pit, the visitor “pushed and pulled” the clay figures, resulting in damage to two of the ancient statues to varying degrees. Security personnel quickly restrained him, and officials later determined he was suffering from a mental illness. The incident is currently under investigation.

The pit where the man jumped is approximately 5.4m deep, according to the museum’s official website.

The terracotta army, consisting of roughly 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers, was crafted around 209 BC to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. It stands as one of the country’s most significant archaeological finds and a testament to ancient Chinese artistry and military ingenuity.

Located in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province, the terracotta army is a major tourist attraction and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.

Despite the incident, a museum worker confirmed to Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the exhibition remains open to visitors as usual.