Battle stations
Two Chinese archaeologists yesterday started supervising the unpacking of artefacts from the world famous Terracotta Army brought all the way from China to be exhibited at the Museum of Archaeology, in Valletta. The exhibits, over 80 of them, include...
Two Chinese archaeologists yesterday started supervising the unpacking of artefacts from the world famous Terracotta Army brought all the way from China to be exhibited at the Museum of Archaeology, in Valletta.
The exhibits, over 80 of them, include 10 terracotta soldiers, two horses, a bronze miniature chariot, bronze and pottery cooking utensils, personal ornaments, weapons, coins and terracotta animals. The life-size warriors and horses formed part of an army meant to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who lived over 2,000 years ago, in the afterlife.
Archaeologists say the army, first unearthed in the 1920s near Xi'an, Shaanxi province, could consist of anything up to 7,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with horses and 110 cavalry horses.
The exhibition, organised by Heritage Malta and the China Cultural Centre, in Valletta, will run between March 1 and July 31.
Picture shows a Chinese archaeologist putting the harnesses on the horses of the miniature chariot - a bronze copy of the one used by the emperor - with the help of Heritage Malta staff.