The Emperor’s Underground
Army
This exhibition was brought from Xi’an China, where the tomb complex was first discovered in 1974 and then made into a museum in 1979.
There have been recent new discovery of colored terracotta statues. However, not many people have seen them. When the colored terracotta was first exposed to the air, the color faded quickly due to the chemical reaction with the oxygen in the air. Researchers are still to find ways to preserve the colors when in direct contact with the air so that one day the general public will be able to see these beautiful and magnificent artifacts. The warriors are often referenced as the eighth wonder of the world and in 1987 the site was added to the official list of World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Created by the ROM with their partners in China, The Warrior Emperor and China's Terracotta Army features the largest collection of artifacts related to the warrior emperor ever displayed in North America, alongside 10 life-sized terracotta figures from the pits of the First Emperor's Terracotta Army. The exhibition is showcasing over 250 artifacts from the first millennium BC, on loan from more than a dozen archaeological institutes and museums in Shaanxi Province. Nearly a third of the artifacts on display have never been shown outside of China, and some have never been publicly displayed anywhere, making the ROM's exhibition a landmark event. For a travel advent, you may argue it’s more interesting and sensational to visit the real army pit rather than the artifacts on display in a museum. Yes, to a certain extent, that is correct. However, at the pit, one can only watch the terracotta warriors from a distance, 10 meters away and above. At the exhibition, on the other hand, one can have a close 360 degree view of the artifacts. Therefore, if you are into museums and Chinese history, make sure not to miss this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition. You can find more details on the exhibition by visiting Royal Ontario Museum website at: http://www.rom.on.ca/terracottaarmy/en/ |