We were recently able to visit the Bower Museum’s Warriors : Tombs and Temples. If the exhibit comes to a museum near you, be sure to visit! It was an awesome exhibit!
The tour started out with a brief history of the three dynasties featured in the exhibit.
The Qin Dynasty
The Han Dynasty
and The Tang Dynasty
The exhibit featured several of the famous life-sized terra cotta soldiers found protecting Emperor Qin’s tomb (which the Chinese government has deemed too sacred to breech).
The size of the figures are impressive as is the individuality of each figure. Every face different!
The burial pits featured not only soldiers, but also life-sized horses.
Fighting my way through a crowd of boys, I found a case filled with weapons found in the pits with the soldiers.
Since the Terra Cotta Soldiers have been discovered, many other Tombs have been uncovered. Turns out Emperor Qin was not too popular a person. He did much to unify China, but wasn’t above high taxes and working people to death. So after his death, other tombs were protected by smaller armies---about two feet in height—as a protest to Qin’s extravagant burial.
Like Egyptians’ belief in the afterlife, the Chinese believed the dead would need everything they had during their earthly life in the next life.
So they were buried with stoves,
vessels, and farm animals (as well as farmers!).
Next we entered a Tang Dynasty princess’ tomb full of amazing pieces of art.
An amazing time was had by all at this amazing exhibit.
What a great field trip. It looks like they are gone now? (I can't find them on the Bowers website.) My boys would have loved to see them (though I think I'll be taking them to see the Gold exhibit).
ReplyDeleteIt has left The Bower Museum. You can check out an awesome overview of the exhibit here: http://www.terracottawarriorexhibit.com/ The Gold exhibit does look pretty interesting. Our tour guide mentioned that an exhibit of Faberge Eggs will be coming soon. I definitely want to go see that one.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing field trip! I don't see your kids forgetting this anytime soon!
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful field trip. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteThis does sound like a fantastic field trip! Thanks for sharing it with Look! What We Did!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a really cool field trip!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you shared this with Favorite Resources :) This post is a virtual field trip!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool. We are just starting to study ancient China. I love your explanations. Do you live in China? I heard there is a replica of the Terra Cotta Soldiers in Texas.
ReplyDeletewow, this would be great when we study Ancient China! Wonder if we'll get something similiar around here ! Thanks for sharing at FTF!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful we are going to studying China next year and this is on my list. Great field tirp thanks for sharing on the Home school field trip hop
ReplyDeleteIt would be so fabulous to see this exhibit! Your family must have had a great time :-) My husband and I have always been fascinated by the terracotta warriors - what an incredible army to create. And the faces! Amazing - thanks for including photos of so many of them :-) One day we hope to visit China and see them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing on Happy Family Times :-)