National Geographic Museum Blog

Did you miss Chi Chang when he was in DC? The live terracotta warrior danced, fought and spirited his way around DC. Can you guess where he is in this photo?

Respond with the correct answer for a chance to win a limited edition National Geographic Museum terracotta warrior t-shirt.

Photo courtesy of Wang Da Gang

Stay tuned in the coming months as we put these special collection photos into a down-loadable e-book. It will be a great teaching tool, coffee table piece or just something to nurture your travel fantasies.

Horses excavated from the burial site

As you know, National Geographic Museum is running a photo challenge. The pictures posted on the site are all possible forerunners. To be considered for the challenge, please submit your photos to our flickr group. For more information look here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1067468@N21/

Special Thanks to Steve Cherrier for sharing about his photo experience:

I was a very new photographer back when the photo was taken in June of 2006. My wife and I were along with four other friends on a trip of a lifetime to China. I was very excited to be seeing the Terracotta Warriors and was simply in awe when we stepped into the main chamber where the bulk of the warriors were displayed.

This particular shot was taken near the back of the main chamber where a number of horses were displayed. I couldn’t resist focusing on the detailed heads of the horses as they were so beautiful.

About me – I’m a photographer from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. I’ve grown a lot in the last few years of taking that photo. I specialize now in portraiture and creative themes. My work is featured on my web site at www.stevecherrier.com.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0gT2d-znwc&hl=en&fs=1

For a lengthy and animated history of the emperor, this video provides an interesting dramatization of the army.

Not yet ready for the week?

Quick: What is a tarpan?
Answer: An extinct horse. To learn about their relevance in relation to the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit, read on.

1.) Although it has never been excavated, the emperor’s burial chamber is thought to be 33-44 yards (30-40 meters) below the original ground level.
2.) Emperor Qin’s living warriors wore armor was made from overlapping plates probably made of lacquered leather representing fish scale designs.
3.) There are no female soldiers because women were not allowed in the Chinese army.
4.) The horses with the chariots are tarpans, a small horse that is now extinct.
5.) Not only are there terra cotta warriors, but also other types of figures- civil officials, musicians, and acrobats.

Were you one of the few lonely souls who missed seeing the live terra cotta warrior in DC? Not to fear, over the next few months we will be updating the blog every Friday with photos and stories of his adventures around town.

Were you one of the lucky souls to see him? Did you take his picture? Laugh with him? Accidentally get hit on the head? Share your story and your pictures by connecting with us on facebook.

Photo courtesy of Wang Da Gang

Photographer Wang Da Gang continues to surprise us with his interesting and poignant photos of the warriors. Check back each Thursday to see other never released terra cotta warrior photos.

Terra Cotta Warriors

In conjunction with its upcoming exhibition Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor, National Geographic Museum is running a photo challenge to find your very best terra cotta warrior photographs. Have you visited the First Emperor’s tomb in Xian, China? Do you have fantastic photographs of the warriors, horses, chariots, or any of the remarkable archaeological finds? Submit your photos here.

Please upload photos that match our theme and continue to check back. We will periodically review the images and select photos to feature on our blog and the best photo will featured at the museum during the exhibition!

Terra Cotta Warriors will be on view in Washington, DC from November 19, 2009 – March 31, 2010.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/terracottawarriors/

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1067468@N21/

What happens when fungi grows in the Terra Cotta Army?

Quick quiz: How many foreman were in charge of the teams constructing the army?

Answer: 87.

To learn more interesting fast facts, read on.

1. Each statue bears an inscription of one of the 87 foremen in charge of the teams constructing the army.
2. The First Emperor survived several assassination attempts.
3. About 1,500 craftsmen worked to create the warriors.
4. Some of the swords and the tips of arrowheads are still razor sharp today.
5. Very few records have survived from the Qin dynasty so scholars must rely on a description written about 100 years later by Sima Qian, the official historian of the Han dynasty.