Terracotta Army at the British Museum
This past Thursday, April and I were fortunate to nick some tickets (thanks to Brad and Nadine) to the Terracotta Army Exhibit at the British Museum.
First of all, the British Museum is incredible, a person could spent days touring all the exhibits. Luckily, it’s pretty close so we’ll definitely be going back.
Second, prior to going I didn’t know a lot about the First Emperor and the Terracotta Army, but pretty amazing stuff.
Although a controversial figure in Chinese history, the First Emperor Qin Shi Huang was credited for most of the things we associate with China: giving China it’s name, building Great Wall, and of course his Terracotta Army.
Prior to his rule, the area that is now China was divided among many warring states. At the age of 21, Qin Shi Huang became the ruler of the Qin state (pronounced Chin). By the age of 38, had conquered all the remaining states, and for the first time united all regions under a single ruler, becoming the First Emperor.
To protect his new empire, Qin Shi Huang built the Great Wall Of China. Although the rulers that followed extended the Great Wall, he was credited for it’s original creation.
Afraid of the afterlife, Qin Shi Huang constructed a massive army of over 8000 terracotta warriors and horses to protect his tomb site. The terracotta army went undiscovered until 1974 when it was finally unearthed by come local farmers.
The exhibit is only at British Museum until April 6th, and definitely worth checking out.