Unearthing New Lessons from Ancient China

The Terracotta Army, discovered in 1974 near Xi'an, China, stands as one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. This collection of over 7,000 life-sized terracotta figures, originally brightly colored and intricately detailed, was part of the elaborate tomb complex of Emperor Qin Shihuang (259-221 BCE), China's first emperor. The discovery has provided unprecedented insights into Qin dynasty (221-206 BCE) culture, history, politics, and art, with over 300 burial pits and tombs uncovered so far, spanning 17.6 square miles. These artifacts offer a glimpse into the First Emperor's understanding of himself and his world, as well as the artistic practices of the time. Despite global exhibitions, few accessible K-12 teaching resources exist about the Terracotta Army, highlighting a gap in educational materials for younger audiences.

K. Eder, E. (2020). Unearthing New Lessons from Ancient China. Education About Asia, 25(2). https://doi.org/10.65959/eaa.1638