Terracotta Warriors Exhibit - Discovery Times Square

In 1974, while digging a well in northwest China, a group of peasants happened upon the unexcavated tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi, the self-proclaimed first emperor of China who lived in 221 BC.  Who would have thought that few clay fragments would have led to an archaeological dig that would span several decades and reveal 600 pits and an estimated 8,000 warriors?

Armoured General

The Terracotta Warriors Exhibit brings us information about the life and afterlife of China's First Emperor and showcases ~250 objects, many of which have never been displayed either in or outside of China.  A number of cities have already featured the exhibit.  I believe the Warriors travel next to Minneapolis Institute of Arts opening in October 2012 and closing in January 2013.

Being a lover of art and history, I wanted to post some pictures from the NYC exhibit.

Cavalry Horse

Infantry Soldier 

Kneeling Archer 

Crossbow 

Han Dynasty Tomb Gate

The most amazing thing, apart from the age of these artifacts, is that each warrior has its own unique face; no two are alike!

I, of course, had to take a little piece of the exhibit home with me so I purchased a replica of one of the warriors as well as the Exhibition book.

For more information on the Minneapolis Exhibit, click here.

For information on the Terracotta Warriors, click here.