National Geographic Museum Blog

With September almost on us, the exhibit’s grand opening is soon approaching. We’ve seen unprecedented tickets sales in the past few weeks and all numbers indicate that this will continue in the foreseeable future. Don’t forget to buy your tickets in advance!

1.) The workers used ancient techniques of bronze casting, using complex ceramic molds, to create the clay army.
2.) Plans for the tomb were expanded after Emperor Qin united China in 221BC.
3.) The underground pits were developed in succession, one after another, rather than as part of a single plan.
4.) The emperor kept a private menagerie and hunting park, and the tomb contains wild animals and birds, each buried in a coffin.
5.) One pit contained a group of pottery figures of entertainers, wrestlers, and acrobats. Craftsmen created a sense of movement in these figures through lifelike gestures and diverse body types.

500,000 people live in DC proper. 700,000 people built the Emperor’s tomb. Think about it.

1.) In 2000 archaeologists discovered an underground dam and drainage system in the tomb complex area.
2.) The tomb mound, in the shape of a square, flattened pyramid, is visible above ground, but the discovery of the terra cotta army came as complete surprise because it was nearly ¾ mile away from the mound itself.
3.) 700,000 men worked to build the First Emperor’s tomb and other structures.
4.) The First Emperor chose a burial site separate from the cemeteries of his ancestors, to demonstrate that he was not dependent on them for his power.
5.) The emperor’s tomb mound is on the slopes of Mt. Li near Lintong, east of Xi’an, the present day capital of Shaanxi province.

This is a LARGE SCALE project that requires up to a week to complete. However, its a great activity for kids and the end project is worth the effort. In particular, this would make a great classroom project for teachers prior to attending the museum exhibit. Simply click on the link below to download the PDF instructions.

Dancing Dragon

Photos courtesy of mlsnp on Flickr.

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 Xi’an, 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 be featured at the museum during the exhibition!

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

Every Wednesday, we will feature one Flickr competitor on our blog: theterracottawarriors.wordpress.com/.

This continues our series on the Great Wall of China. Enjoy the last in our series. However, for the complete series, please check out their youtube page– found here.

Our teacher challenge is just beginning. Use the fast facts platform as a way to showcase your students. We will feature as many schools as possible and show off your interesting facts. This week, though, pay attention to our facts, so that you can see what we are looking for.

1.) The terra cotta warriors were equipped with bronze swords, daggers, axes, crossbows and bows.
2.) Some weapons still bear inscriptions of the name of the workshop, the manufacturer, his assistants, a production number, and the date of production.
3.) High ranking officers wore a double-layered tunic under a tiled armor apron, while middle-ranking officers wore armor of overlapping rectangular plaques, joined with cords and rivets.
4.) Stone armor copied iron or leather armor and was thought to serve as protection in the afterlife.
5.) The Chinese historian Sima Qian wrote that the First Emperor’s tomb contained a map of his territory made from mercury.

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 Xi’an, 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 be featured at the museum during the exhibition!

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

Every Wednesday, we will feature one Flickr competitor on our blog: theterracottawarriors.wordpress.com/. Stay tuned to see if you are on there!

Photos from of Puuikibeach on Flickr.

The Terra Cotta Warriors‘ partner restaurant, Mie N Yu, uses seasonal, local ingredients to exquisitely combine contemporary American cuisine with flavors from Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Mediterranean. This summer enjoy a four-course Indonesian tasting menu as well as a dim sum happy hour. Also, get ready for a terra-cotta-themed menu that will coincide with the exhibition’s November opening. For more restaurant details, click here.