Fingerprints reveal details about terracotta army creators

Archaeologists in China discovered fingerprints on clay warriors from the Terracotta Army, which dates back over 2,200 years. These prints do not identify the artisans by name, but scientists used them to estimate the age and gender of the people who made the statues.

Researchers examined the fingerprints to learn more about the workforce that constructed the army intended to accompany China’s first emperor. The discovery offers a new way to study the individuals involved in creating this historical landmark.