On January 25, students of Chinese language and Chinese Religion and Philosophy classes will take a trip to Philadelphia for a special exhibit, Terracotta Warriors of the First Emperor, at the Franklin Institute.

The Terracotta Warriors are considered one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in history. This statue army is part of an elaborate mausoleum created to accompany the first emperor of China into the afterlife.

“The Terracotta warriors is not only monumental to Chinese history but also to mankind,” said Wei-jei DeLucia, instructor of Chinese. “This exhibition combines history, mythology, science and technology of China’s First Emperor period.”

The exhibit at the Franklin Institute features 10 figures from the burial complex, as well as more than 160 artifacts including weapons, jade pieces, gold ornaments, bronze bells, ceremonial vessels, coins, and architectural pieces of the time. According to the Franklin Institute, multimedia and interactive elements also complement the artifacts to further engage visitors in hands-on STEM learning aligned with Next Generation Science Standards.

“The students will have a fully immersive experience with the history and culture of ancient China through one of the greatest archaeological finds in world history,” DeLucia said.

“I am really excited to see the real, actual Terracotta Warriors,” said Quan Pham ‘19, who is a student in Chinese 3. “I’ve seen them a lot on television and pictures online. It is so cool that we get to see the real ones at the Franklin Institute.”

“This is going to be a great opportunity for students to expand their cultural awareness beyond the language itself,” Pham said.