Headless Soldiers When the terracotta soldiers were built in the 2nd century B.C., the head, arms, legs and torsos were created separately and then assembled together on the body. During excavation beginning in the mid-1970's it was recognized that almost all of the 8,000 terracotta soldiers had been destroyed or highly damaged, with extensive restoration efforts required to re-build them. In many cases, as in this small pit, heads were either not located or are in the process of restoration and will be replaced when restored.