Research
Terracotta Army fingerprints suggest a more varied workforce
A small fingerprint sample offers clues to ancient craftspeople, not a census of everyone who worked on the figures.
In this briefingThe reportModel limitations
The report
Researchers analysed 79 clear fingerprints on 36 terracotta figures. Their statistical model suggests that women and juveniles may have participated alongside adult men.
Model limitations
The estimates classify sampled fingerprints, not individual workers. Repeated prints, reference-population differences and changes during firing may affect the inference.
Images are illustrative, not photographs of the reported finds.
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