Q: Were the Terracotta Warriors originally painted?

A: Yes, all of them were once brightly colored.

Each Terracotta Warrior was originally painted in vivid hues such as red, purple, pink, and green. After more than 2,000 years underground, the pigments begin to deteriorate within 15 seconds of excavation and can flake off completely within four minutes. Thanks to advances in conservation technology, colors can now be preserved for over ten years.