The exhibition travels back to a time more than two millennia ago and marks its return to the 21st century audience after a landmark discovery nearly fifty years ago. In Alicante, the MARQ museum presents a “unique” show opening on March 28 that promises a new kind of experience for Spain’s cultural landscape. The display underscores the scale and significance of an event that has not been matched in the country before.
The project is defined by Marcos Martinón-Torres, a prominent figure in archaeology and a professor who leads Archaeological Science at Cambridge University. He was part of the unveiling of this major exhibition for Alicante at the Casa de China in Madrid, a moment that brought together scholars and cultural leaders to discuss the work. The show features 120 objects and includes nine terra-cotta figures and a horse from Xi’an. These pieces will be on view at MARQ until January 28, after a long anticipation spanning more than four years. The curator emphasizes that the exhibition’s strength lies in a carefully curated collection drawn from nine museums, offering a global perspective that few displays can rival.
The event drew attention from diplomatic and cultural circles, including the Chinese ambassador to Spain, Wu Haitao, along with the President of the Provincial Assembly, Carlos Mazón, and cultural representative Julia Parra. Directors of MARQ and the MARQ Foundation, Manuel Olcina and José Alberto Cortés, expressed that the display is not merely a static presentation but an immersive journey that blends history and science with the latest advances in archaeology. It invites visitors to experience a narrative where ancient life and modern research intersect in a compelling way.
The wars and luxury of the imperial court
The exhibition invites visitors to imagine life in times of conflict and opulence. They will encounter warriors and the people who built them, and they will step into the archaeological science laboratory for the first time. The project aims to push the boundaries of fieldwork while pioneering the application of new technologies in the study of these ancient treasures.
With immersive zoom effects, the exhibition reveals how the artifacts were created and used. Visitors will learn about a 100-kilogram hollow bronze container and ponder why the swords carried by the terracotta figures are so lethal. The exhibit also explores how pigments and shaping techniques defined the soldiers before time faded their colors. Beyond the objects themselves, the immersive environment offers a majestic sense of place that enhances understanding of a vast, interconnected world.
Some additional terracotta figures, including elements such as stables and servants, will be shown too. The display spans a chronological window that highlights pieces created before and after the first emperor, allowing visitors to compare the earlier terracotta army with later iterations that echo the grand style of the Hang dynasty, though on a smaller scale yet still striking in appearance.
The exhibit also carries a clear focus on the history of science and technology in China. Visitors will hear sounds such as bells and a lithophone and will be invited to compare these instruments with European traditions. Respect is given to the workers who crafted these objects as well as to the archaeologists, historians, and researchers who continue to explain why scholars know what they know. The experience blends art, history, and modern inquiry into a coherent narrative that resonates with audiences across the Americas and beyond.