That army, or a small piece of it, has just arrived in New York City in an exhibition called “Terracotta Warriors: Defenders of China’s First Emperor” at Discovery Times Square. Only nine of the estimated 8,000 figures entombed at Xian in central China have made the trip. But they’re in great shape and, fitted out with weapons, armor, livestock, cash and a portable kitchen, they’re a sight to see.
They also come with an action-adventure narrative, part deep history, part archaeological romance. The history goes back to well before the third century B.C., when north-central China was a chaos of feuding states, all intent on domination. The one called Qin, ruled by horse breeders whose main trade came to lie outside China, seemed least likely to succeed. But when, after centuries of clashes, the dust finally settled, the Qin was left standing, and in command.
The Emperor Is Dead. His Army Marches On.
‘Terracotta Warriors’ at Discovery Times Square
via The New York Times