Why were the terra cotta warriors built?

They were built for the first emperor of China, Qin Shi
Huang, and date back to 210 B.C.   They were discovered by local farmers in 1974, near
the mausouleum of the first Qin emperor. They were built as an army to protect him in
his tomb. The figures included generals, horses, chariots and other figures. It is
estimated that there are over 8000 soldiers, plus chariots, horses etc. buried in pits.
The site is an earthen pyramid and the soldiers were placed there to perhaps guard the
emperor from dangers in the next life. It is said that no two soldiers' features are
exactly alike. The entire complex is a necropolis with many buildings, palaces and
wonderful objects.