Eight warriors and the Xi’an horse from the upcoming March 28 event have been displayed across nine Chinese museums, with MARQ presenting 120 pieces in total. After arriving in Spain, the artifacts were taken out of their boxes and packing, revealing their long-awaited presence in the Alicante museum.
One of the terracotta figures is already basking in its display case in the third temporary room of the Alicante museum and will soon share the space with other colleagues. This piece was among the first to be unpacked from the exhibition Legacy of the Qin and Han dynasties, China. Xi’an Warriors. The opening occurred in the presence of the President of the Diputación, Carlos Mazón, and the Deputy for Culture, Julia Parra, along with a delegation representing the lending institutions.
Another terracotta figure, placed in the second chamber but not part of the army, was also unpacked. Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty.
Unpacking and placing
After the artifacts arrived at the museum last Friday, they required a period of acclimatization before becoming fully integrated into the new environment. Once this phase concluded, MARQ experts, along with representatives from nine participating Chinese museums, began the careful process of unpacking and placing the pieces, following strict handling and conservation protocols for such important material, including the transportation of two sets of replicas.
Xi’an warriors can be viewed until January 2024. The exhibition marks the first public display of the legacy of the first Chinese emperor since the pandemic, and it stands out for the number of pieces and the careful selection featured.
Warriors of Xi’an travel to the 21st century in MARQ
An extraordinary exhibition
“I had the privilege of admiring these pieces for the first time today and I can assure you we have in front of us the most significant fair of the year in Spain. This is a project we have campaigned for over a long period,” stated Carlos Mazón, highlighting the long-running effort behind the exhibition.
“The road was not easy and involved a comprehensive negotiation process at the provincial level. We will be able to enjoy a unique collection with the Chinese government, and now the world, thanks to continued cooperation,” Mazón added.
The President commended the extensive collaboration and the work of technicians and experts who will prepare for the final gathering later this week. Julia Parra, who ends her term after leaving Ciudadanos, noted that the initial negotiations for this exhibition also reflected a broader commitment to culture in the Alicante province.
The exhibition centers on one of the most spectacular finds in world archaeology: the terracotta warriors of the first Chinese Emperor, recognized as a World Heritage site in 1987 and celebrated with multiple distinctions including the Prince of Asturias Science Award.
An educational and accessible resource
Curated by Doctor Marcos Martinon-Torres from the University of Cambridge, the archaeology director of the Qin Mausoleum project, the exhibit provides educational resources for all audiences and features an extensive program of conferences and parallel activities both in-person and online.
A ticket to the Legacy of the Qin and Han dynasties, China. Xi’an Warriors exhibition is priced at 5 euros per ticket, with discounts for seniors, youth, and students among other groups. Tickets can be reserved through the official MARQ website and at the museum’s ticket offices.