Social Impact:
- Artisanal Developments: The Terracotta Army project involved a vast workforce of skilled craftsmen, artisans, and laborers. These communities flourished, contributing to significant advancements in craftsmanship and engineering techniques of their time.
- Social stratification: The production of the Terracotta Army required a massive amount of resources, labor, and organization, which highlighted the hierarchy of Chinese society.
Political Impact:
- Imperial Legitimacy: The Terracotta Army played a role in legitimizing the rule of the Qin dynasty. The impressive scale of the project demonstrated the power and authority of the emperor and the strength of the Qin Empire.
- Cultural Centralization: The creation of a standardized and monumental burial complex with the Terracotta Army contributed to the cultural unification of the empire, diminishing the influence of regional cultural variations.
- Military Strength: The realistic depiction of soldiers and cavalry in the terracotta figures showcased the military might and martial prowess of the Qin army, serving as a symbol of the dynasty's military strength and conquests.
Economic Impact:
- Economic Burden: The construction of the Terracotta Army placed a substantial strain on the imperial coffers, requiring significant financial resources and labor. This contributed to the decline of the Qin dynasty's economy.
- Imperial Investment: The project generated employment and stimulated economic growth in various industries. The procurement of materials, including metals, clay, and wood, from different parts of the empire boosted trade and economic activities.
- Imperial Control of Labor: The mobilization of a vast workforce for the project highlighted the extensive control of the Qin government over its citizens, both in terms of forced labor and economic organization.
In conclusion, while the Terracotta Army remains an awe-inspiring cultural marvel of ancient China, it had broad-ranging social, political, and economic consequences for the Qin dynasty. Its legacy transcends the realm of history and archaeology, inviting ongoing study and exploration of the intricate power dynamics, societal norms, and economic strategies that shaped this remarkable undertaking.