Zhao Kangmin (1936—May 16, 218), executive director of China Qin figurine research society, executive director of Shaanxi Museum Society, director of Shaanxi Archaeological Society, member of China Museum Society and China Cultural Relics Society. The earliest person who identified the Terracotta Warriors and Horses as cultural relics and restored them was the former curator of Lintong District Museum in Xi 'an, Shaanxi. At 21: 3 pm on May 16, 218, he died of illness at the age of 82.
there was a dispute about "the right to discover the terracotta warriors and horses of Qin Shihuang". According to media reports, in December 23, Yang Xinman, one of the farmers who dug wells in that year, jointly submitted an application for the qualification of "the discoverer of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses" to the Qin Shihuang Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum on behalf of the farmers who dug wells, asking the museum to issue certificates to confirm the "right to discover terracotta warriors and horses" of nine farmers including him.
Yang Xinman said in an interview with the media that year: "When introducing the discovery of the Terracotta Warriors, the Terracotta Warriors Museum only vaguely said that it was discovered by farmers when they dug wells in 1974. Why not mention the names of nine of us? It's unfair. Without us, could there be this miracle that shocked the world? "
On October 26th, 213, the Museum of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor published the article "On-the-spot Records of the Archaeological Work of the Qin Tombs: Discovery, Excavation and Research of No.1 Pit". The article said, "As far as archaeological knowledge is concerned, scientific archaeological discoveries in a general sense should refer to the basic understanding of the age, nature and name of sites or relics. In March, 1974, the terracotta warriors and horses excavated by farmers could not be called' discovery' strictly speaking, but' accidental excavation' precisely, which only provided clues for archaeological work. "
Well-drilling is a multi-person cooperative project, and the "accidental excavation" of Terracotta Warriors and Horses should be attributed to the collective "well-drilling team" of that year. The real archaeological discovery is Zhao Kangmin, the former curator of Lintong County Museum. In that year, after knowing the situation, he rushed to the scene for the first time, used his professional knowledge to identify the "warrior figurines of Qin Dynasty" and had a basic understanding of its era and name. Later, Zhao Kangmin also collected the broken pottery pieces and repaired them.
Extended information:
Works: I have written and published monographs such as Interesting Tales of the Scenery of Mount Li, Scenic Spots of Mount Li, Lintong County Records of Cultural Relics and Lintong Stone Tablet. Published more than 4 papers and briefings in journals above the provincial level.
As an archaeologist, Zhao Kangmin devoted his life to the cause of cultural relics, and the identification and restoration of Qin figurines is only one of his many archaeological achievements. "My father kept a low profile all his life." Zhao Kangmin's son told the Beijing Youth Daily that the funeral was very simple, and he didn't expect his death to alarm the world.
Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia-Zhao Kangmin?
People's Daily Online-The first archaeological discovery of Qin Terracotta Warriors attracted attention at the age of 82.