Last week, I went with a friend to see the Terra Cotta Warriors at the Minneapolis Museum of Arts.
This terra-cotta army of the First Emperor of China (c. 220 BC) is considered one of the most spectacular finds in archaeology. In 1974, a farmer -seeking to build a new well- discovered a pit filled with a garrison of buried warriors over 2000 years old!
More than 6000 sculptures were buried near the emperor in order to protect him in the afterlife…
Horses, archers, cavalry, infantry…
Truly amazing! Unfortunately, photography of the warriors is not allowed–the above photos are of replicas…
So I have included a few photos from the little book I purchased.
The detailed faces are fascinating-each sculpture is very unique-with detailed expressions, hairstyles, hands…
Photos just don’t do the exhibit justice…If you get a chance to see this exhibit as it goes on tour, jump at the chance–it is amazing!
I think I will add seeing the real excavation to my Bucket List…
Oh, and if you do go…watch the movie-(it is free), but unless you are super hard-core – skip the headphone tour–
You might also like: Franconia Sculpture Park and The Witch of Fox Point