The Exhibit : November 19, 2009- March 31, 2010
Visit the Terra Cotta Warriors in your back yard!
The terra cotta warriors represent one of the greatest archaeological treasures in the world today. The exhibit includes 15 complete life-sized terra cotta figures, the largest of these famed figures ever to leave China. With over 100 sets of objects, the exhibition also features treasures from the First Emperor’s tomb, such as weapons, ritual objects, and palace tiles.
Equally exciting and probably most dramatic is the inclusion of new discoveries such as entertainers and life-sized bronze birds as well as exquisite replicas of half-sized chariots rendered in bronze, silver, and gold. These new finds were located in small pits close to the tomb mound of Qin Shi Huang (259 - 210 B.C.).
Getaway Packages
Our packages include:
- A stay at your choice of the Holiday Inn Georgetown, Washington Hilton & Towers, The Madison, a Loews Hotel or Omni Shoreham Hotel
- Premium Admission to Terra Cotta Warriors at the National Geographic Museum
- All state and local taxes are included in price.
Available Packages:
See Them In China
September 4-16, 2010
The Museum
National Geographic Museum
17th & M Streets NW
Washington, DC 20036
Directions
View Larger Map | Plan Your Route
Public Transportation
National Geographic is convenient to two Metro stops, Farragut North (Red line) and Farragut West (Orange/Blue lines). Several bus lines also serve the area. Visit www.wmata.com for more information.
The History
246 B.C.
In 246 BC, the Qin Emperor commissioned 700,000 workers to build a tomb mound and dig the pits to house the warriors. Additionally, hundreds of artisans were gathered to craft this amazing army of terra cotta warriors. This army consisted of over 7,000 soldiers, horses and chariots covering an area of more than 19 square miles. This massive undertaking took approximately 36 years to finish. Once completed these soldiers were placed in large pits and covered with beams and then layers of earth and reeds. They were built to protect the Emperor in the afterlife.
Shortly after the First Emperor’s death the Qin dynasty collapsed. A warlord from the south, Xiang Yu, led an army into the capital, burning and plundering the city. It was probably his men who raided the army pits and burned parts of the necropolis. It wasn’t until 1974 that the remains of this army were found. Since this time archeologists have been painstakingly rebuilding these warriors one piece at a time. Tourists can visit the site in Xian, China to see these massive pits with the restored soldiers standing in formation as they were over 2,000 years ago.