Review of the Terra Cotta Warriors at the National Geographic Museum
February 2, 2010
by Marcy Gessel
17th & M Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20036
202.857.7588
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Time is running out, but it isn’t too late to visit the Terra Cotta Warriors, the remarkable exhibition of life-size clay figures on display at the National Geographic Society.
The artifacts themselves are amazing, but they gain particular resonance when viewed with the photographs in the exhibit showing the massive underground pits where the figures were found. The figures were buried nearly 2,000 years ago to accompany China’s first emperor, Qin Shihuangdi, into the afterlife. One sees row upon row of the warriors standing at attention.
Up close, the visitor can appreciate the details. The warriors vary by rank and duty. Some are archers, some drive chariots, others hold swords. Clay musicians and acrobats had their places in the huge complex, as well.
A pair of parents and their three school-aged boys visited the exhibition recently, having missed their first scheduled tour when the museum closed during last December’s blizzard. The 11-year-old and his dad were sure to read every word of information available in the galleries. The 6- and 9-year-olds read less but still found plenty to interest them. In both cases, the self-guided tour took about an hour, the time suggested by National Geographic. Visitors also may opt to purchase the $5 audio tour.
In addition to 15 life-size figures, the exhibition features weapons, armor, coins and other artifacts from the pits. Models of chariots provide not just a view of the workmanship but insight into that means of transportation 2,000 years ago. Late in the exhibit the visitor learns that many of the warriors’ weapons were stolen soon after they were buried, explaining the many empty-handed figures on display and in the photographs.
The discovery of the warriors outside the city of Xi'an in 1974 is one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century. Even 35 years later, archeologists are still working at the site.
What They Loved
The boys appreciated the work that went into creating the clay army, considering the absence of power tools and other modern amenities. Two terrific dioramas in the second gallery illustrated how the figures and horses were crafted. Seeing the process also adds insight into why so many heads had fallen off the figures.
The boys also enjoyed looking at the armor, fashioned from small rectangles of metal or leather and pieced together. The crossbow was a big hit, too.
The exhibit isn’t over once visitors have left the last gallery. Be sure to take a few minutes for the life-size warrior model created in the ancient process. Because it is a model, visitors may touch it and photograph themselves next to it, offering the kind of encounter modern museum-goers have become used to.
The same area, just outside the gift shop, features a video game in which players help find objects in an ancient Chinese palace.
What They Didn’t
The 6-year-old was a little frightened, partly by the large size of the warriors and particularly because his older brother directed his attention to a painting of an attempted assassination of the emperor that helped fuel the emperor’s desire to build multiple palaces. He did somehow enjoy seeing headless warriors, finding them funny.
Recommended
School-age children and up. A preschool-aged child viewing the exhibition in the same time period as the Our Kids reviewers played with her audio tour but didn’t seem to pay much attention to what was around her or to listen to the narration. The exhibition is a real treat for children old enough to get a sense that they are seeing extraordinary objects so old it’s difficult for even adults to get their heads around.
A friend asked me if she should take her 1st grader. My response: I would say yes, because it's such a special thing to see. If I were to do it again, I would probably have spent a little time explaining beforehand what we were going to see. Not quite so important for my older kids who are advanced readers, but since the younger readers can't take as much in while they're there. Just thinking about it now, even talking about just how old 2,000 years old is, might make it more exciting. My boys are into warfare (Star Wars, archery and BBs in scouts), so the subject matter was enough to keep them interested.
The audio tour is available in English, Spanish and Mandarin for $5. The audio tour can be ordered online with tickets or can be purchased before entering the exhibition. To help visitors decide, National Geographic even has a preview of the guide at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/terracottawarriors/audio.html
After viewing the exhibition, step across the courtyard to see Polar Obsession, a marvelous exhibition of photographs and stories by photographer Paul Nicklen. Ends March 10, 2010.
Tickets
The Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit will be at the National Geographic Museum until March 31, 2010. Admission is by timed ticket. Please note that Saturday tickets are no longer available for purchase, except possibly during the late afternoon on Presidents’ Day weekend. (See below.) Sunday tickets are still available in March, but they will soon be sold out. During the week, tickets may be purchased online or at the National Geographic Society.
Ticket prices are $12 for adults, $6 for children aged 2-12 and $10 for students/military/members and seniors over age 62. There is also a $2.50 per person fee for online sales.
When buying ticket online, do not rely just on the calendar to report sold-out dates. A few tickets may still be available if you check the link “View available dates in list format.” Still don’t have tickets? There’s still hope.
Extended Hours for Presidents' Day Weekend!
Due to popular demand, the exhibition will stay open for an extra hour from Friday, February 12, through Monday, February 15. Tickets are now available for 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and are expected to sell quickly. Call 202.857.7588.
Special Event
Chinese New Year Festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, February 6.
- 150 free tickets will be distributed for the 12 p.m. viewing. Distribution of these tickets will begin at 11 a.m. at 1600 M Street. The tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of two tickets per person.
- Raffles every half hour during the festival beginning at 11:30 a.m. for tickets for the 3 p.m. viewing.
- Additional tickets will be distributed by P.F. Chang’s China Bistro via Facebook and Twitter. In addition to the exhibition, the festival includes film screenings, table tennis demonstrations, family activities, live performances and martial arts demonstrations, as well as free food.
With generous support from The PIMCO Foundation, 200 free day-of tickets will be available for the 6 p.m. exhibition viewing every Wednesday. Tickets will be distributed at 5:30 p.m. with a limit of two tickets per person.
How to get there
National Geographic recommends using the Metro. (It is near both Farragut North and Farragut West stations.) During the week, that is certainly the best way to travel. On Sunday, street parking was available very close to the museum.
Our Kids Reader Comments
- "We had tickets for 11am this morning (2/5/10) and decided to go for it, despite the snow forecast. We arrived early and got right in, probably because of no-shows earlier, I suspect. I had tried to get tickets for 10:00 or 10:30, but those were sold out. We even got a meter spot right in front. We did not do the audio tour and had no kids with us, but the few kids I saw were engaged and asking their parents questions, they were all elementary school age. It is an amazing exhibit and worth the effort to get there. It took us an hour to go through." - Kay L.
Have you seen the Terra Cotta Warriors? What's your opinion? Just drop us a note and Our Kids will add your comments to this review.
