<p>This collection contains information and teaching resources on the Terracotta Army, a group of approximately 7,000 life-size terracotta figures created for the tomb complex of China's First Emperor, Qin Shihuang (259 – 210 BCE). Resources in this collection cover a wide range of topics, including: the discovery of the Terracotta Army, Emperor Qin Shihuang, the unification of China, Qin dynasty (221 – 206 BCE) spiritual beliefs, how the terracotta warriors were made, the different types of terracotta warriors, and the types of bronze weaponry found in the Terracotta Army pits. This collection also contains three interactives: a timeline of ancient Chinese history, a map of the tomb complex, and maps of battle formations in the Terracotta Army pits.</p> <p>Objects found in Emperor Qin Shihuang’s elaborate tomb complex, which covers a total area of 17.6 square miles, make up the majority of surviving objects from this significant period in Chinese history. They are some of the best archaeological evidence researchers have for understanding the spiritual beliefs, military practices, and values of the ruler responsible for unifying China for the first time in its history. </p> <p>Authors of this collection are the Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, the Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access, and the Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.</p> <p><em>Tags: archaeology; archaeologist; ancient history; artifact; afterlife; funerary practices; burial; death; religion; military; soldier; sculpture; chinese; world history; asia; asian; xi'an; empire; terra cotta; qin shi huang; shihuangdi; shi huang di; earthenware; ceramics</em><em></em></p>

<p>In this activity, students will learn about the life, achievements, and historical legacy of the First Emperor of China, Emperor Qin Shihuang (259 – 210 BCE). In order to understand why he, and the developments he shaped, are so historically significant, students will explore objects from the Qin (221 – 206 BCE) and Han (206 BCE – 220 CE) dynasties and use information learned to create arguments about the past. This collection is Part 1 in a series of collections created for a social studies classroom; for more information, click “Read More.”</p> <p>Objects found in Emperor Qin Shihuang’s elaborate tomb complex, which covers a total area of 17.6 square miles, make up the majority of surviving objects from this significant period in Chinese history. They are some of the best archaeological evidence researchers have for understanding the spiritual beliefs, military practices, and values of the ruler responsible for unifying China for the first time in its history. </p> <p>Authors of this collection are the Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, the Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access, and the Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.</p> <p><em>Tags: archaeology; archaeologist; ancient history; artifact; afterlife; funerary practices; burial; death; spiritual beliefs; military; soldier; sculpture; chinese; world; asia; asian; xi'an; empire; leader; see wonder connect; headlines; strategy; project zero; visible thinking routine; terra cotta; qin shi huang; shihuangdi; shi huang di; earthenware; ceramics</em><em></em> </p>

<p>In this activity, students explore the Terracotta Army, a group of approximately 7,000 terracotta figures of warriors and horses made for China’s First Emperor, Qin Shihuang (259 – 210 BCE). After learning about the Qin dynasty (221 – 206 BCE) afterlife beliefs analyzing the types of figures, the layout of pits, and other objects included, students will create their own arguments about what the Terracotta Army reveals about Emperor Qin Shihuang. This collection is Part 2 in a series of collections created for a social studies classroom; for more information, click “Read More.”</p> <p>Objects found in Emperor Qin Shihuang’s elaborate tomb complex, which covers a total area of 17.6 square miles, make up the majority of surviving objects from this significant period in Chinese history. They are some of the best archaeological evidence researchers have for understanding the spiritual beliefs, military practices, and values of the ruler responsible for unifying China for the first time in its history. </p> <p>Authors of this collection are the Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, the Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access, and the Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.</p> <p><em>Tags: archaeology; archaeologist; ancient history; artifact; afterlife; funerary practices; burial; death; spiritual beliefs; military; soldier; sculpture; chinese; world; asia; asian; xi'an; empire; cross-cultural comparison; think puzzle explore; strategy; project zero; visible thinking routine; terra cotta; qin shi huang; shihuangdi; shi huang di; earthenware; ceramics</em> </p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">In this activity, students will take a closer look at the bronze chariots and horses, charioteer figures, and related objects found in the Pit of Chariots and Horses, a small but essential part of the elaborate tomb complex of China's First Emperor, Emperor Qin Shihuang (259-221 BCE). Although the complex is perhaps better known for the discovery of the Terracotta Army, a group of approximately 7,000 life-size terracotta warriors and horses, the bronze objects also add to our understanding of the surviving material culture from the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE), a significant period in Chinese history. These objects are some of the best archaeological evidence researchers have for understanding the spiritual beliefs, military practices, and values of the ruler responsible for unifying China for the first time in its history. Upon completion of this lesson, students will understand that chariots and horses were necessary tools for empire creation in the Qin Dynasty.</p> <p>This collection was created by the Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum.</p> <p><strong>Tags</strong>: #funerary practices, #spiritual beliefs, #Chinese, #ancient history, #world, #Asia, #Xi'an, #cross-cultural companion, #terracotta army, #bronze, #chariot, #Project Zero.</p> <p><strong><u>Notes to Other Users</u></strong><br> Most of this collection can be completed individually or in small groups. It uses several <em>Project Zero thinking routines</em> that engage students with open-ended questions that can be used to spark discussion. For example, the "See, Think, Wonder" routine encourages students to make careful observations and thoughtful interpretations.  Although thinking routines can be used at any point in a lesson, they work incredibly well at the beginning of a topic because they can draw on information students can readily see.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><u>RELATED COLLECTIONS<br> </u></strong>This collection is one part of a series of focused on objects found in the elaborate tomb complex of China's first emperor, Emperor Qin Shihuang (259-221BCE). Created for use in the classroom, these resources It can be used as part of sequence or on their own. The collections are:</p> <ul><li>Visual Art: <a href="#r"><u>China's Terracotta Army: Exploring Artistic Practices</u></a></li></ul> <ul><li>Visual Art: <a href="#r/"><u>Colors of the Terracotta Army</u></a></li></ul> <ul><li>Social Studies (Part 1): <a href="#r"><u>China’s Terracotta Army: Introduction to China’s First Emperor and the Terracotta Army</u></a></li></ul> <ul><li>Social Studies (Part 2): <a href="#r"><u>China’s Terracotta Army: The Terracotta Warriors</u></a></li></ul> <ul><li>Social Studies (Part 3): <a href="#r"><u>China’s Terracotta Army: Exploring the Tomb Complex and Values of China’s First Emperor</u></a></li></ul> <ul><li>All subjects: <a href="#r/https://learninglab.si.edu/collections/china-s-terracotta-army-information-and-teaching-resources/woEc9TUvDsdJCicx"><u>China’s Terracotta Army: Information and Teaching Resources</u></a><u></u></li></ul> <ul></ul> <ul> <li>Visual Art：<u><a href="https://learninglab.si.edu/collections/china-s-terracotta-army-examining-bronze-chariots-and-horses/FyXCqDHZMzOQINml"> China's Terracotta Army: Examining Bronze Chariots and Horses</a></u> </li> <li>Social Studies: <a href="https://learninglab.si.edu/collections/take-a-closer-look-at-emperor-qin-shihuang-s-bronze-chariots-and-horses/gjT0FMibvY4AJ8ZP/edit#er/"><u>Take a closer look at Emperor Qin Shihuang's Bronze Chariots and Horses</u></a></li> </ul> <p><strong><u>ABOUT ANCIENT CHINESE OBJECTS<br> </u></strong>Objects from ancient China are, in the present day, often referred to as "art." However, it should be noted that what is called "art" was not necessarily made at the time as fine art— many of these objects had ritual or practical functions when new but gradually became valued for their aesthetic qualities. (From <em>The Art and Archaeology of Ancient China: A Teachers Guide</em>, p2, published by the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.)</p>

<p>In this activity, students will use visual evidence to make inferences about the roles of figures found in the elaborate tomb complex of China's First Emperor, Qin Shihuang (259 – 210 BCE), and analyze what they may reveal about his values, how he saw himself, and how he saw his world.  </p> <p>Objects found in Emperor Qin Shihuang’s elaborate tomb complex, which covers a total area of 17.6 square miles and contains over 7,000 terracotta figures, make up the majority of surviving objects from this significant period in Chinese history. They are some of the best archaeological evidence researchers have for understanding the spiritual beliefs, military practices, and values of the ruler responsible for unifying China for the first time in its history. </p> <p>Authors of this collection are the Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, the Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access, and the Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.</p> <p><em>Keywords: </em><em>archaeology, archaeologist, ancient history, artifact, afterlife, funerary practices, burial, death, spiritual beliefs, military, soldier, sculpture, chinese, world, asia, asian, xi'an, empire, cross-cultural comparison, terra cotta, qin shi huang, shihuangdi, shi huang di, earthenware, ceramics, pottery, terracotta army</em></p>