Step back in time and witness one of the most significant archaeological finds to grace New York City: The Terracotta Warriors. This showcase of nearly 2,000 full-sized guards and their horses were discovered in 1974 near the tomb of China’s First Emperor, Qin Shihuangdi, by well diggers in China’s northern Shaanxi province. (Above: TerracottaSoldiers-Cavalrymen).
The exhibition opened on April 27, 2012 and runs through the end of summer. It was created uniquely for display at Discovery Times Square for summer 2012 and features the world premiere of a set of gates from an ancient Han burial chamber. It showcases 10 authentic Terracotta Warriors, which is currently the maximum amount that can be displayed out of China at one time More than 20 of the exhibition’s artifacts have never before been seen in the United States, including a “Lai” Ding (cooking utensil) and a Bronze “He” (water or wine container).
Each six-foot-tall, life-sized warrior was created to protect Qin Shihuangdi in the afterlife and buried with wine vessels, mirrors, jade pendants, helmets and armor, and a palace model. Most interesting, the figures are each individualized with no two looking alike. With an entourage like this, each weighing about 600 pounds each, the tomb remained in tact and free from invasion for centuries.
While visiting the exhibit and its massive guests, one can easily realize hot it took more than 1,000, employed by Qin Shihuangdi to create the nearly 8,000 warriors estimated to have been buried in the entire tomb complex.
The size of the First Emperor’s tomb complex, including the rectangular area containing 180 earth pits where the warriors were discovered, measures about eight square kilometers.
While many of the pits are still being excavated, treasures from the tomb itself have yet to be discovered.
Qin Shihuangdi came to power as king of the Qin state. From 230 to 221 BCE, he conquered six rival states to the east, and at age of 39, he founded the first united empire of China, the Qin dynasty. He named himself the First (shi) Emperor (huangdi) of Qin – Qin Shihuangdi.
(Above: Han-Gates) The unification of these states and the First Emperor’s actions ended centuries of ongoing warfare and established the norms of government, law, and administration that would characterize China for the next 2,000 years.
Construction of Qin Shihuangdi’s tomb began when he was just 13 years old and lasted nearly 40 years. According to historians, this feat involved more than 700,000 laborers.
There are six different types of terracotta warrior figures and the exhibition in Times Square showcases five of the six: 1) Infantry Soldier, 2)Armored General, 3) Kneeling Archer (a replica), 4) Cavalry Horse and Soldier 5) Civil Official.
Location: Discovery Times Square
226 West 44th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues
Hours: April 27, 2012 – end of summer
Sunday – Thursday: 10AM-8PM
Friday – Saturday: 10AM-9PM
(final entry 60 minutes prior to closing)
Ticket Prices: $19.50 (child 4-12), $25.00 (adult)
and $22.50 (senior = 65)
Special savings for groups of 15 or more with advanced reservations.
Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.discoveryts.com, by phone at (866) 987-9692, or at the exhibition box office.
