Synopses & Reviews
A vast army of over 7,000 terracotta statues of soldiers surrounds the tomb of the first emperor of the Qin dynasty in the Shaanxi province in northwestern China. These vigilant soldiers have been on duty for 2,000 years, but does anyone know what sort of ruler Qin Shi Huang was? Why did his tomb have to be guarded by a mysterious army? Was Qin Shi Huang so power-hungry he sought control even over the spirit world? Why did he feel compelled to defend himself even in the next life? Using the mausoleum structure as a key, the splendidly illustrated book answers many of the questions that have intrigued travelers, archaeologists, and students of Chinese culture since the site was discovered in 1974.This lavish, powerful volume explores the life and times of the man who founded a dynasty that would continue to the dawn of the 20th century. It gathers the most recent archaeological data with photographs taken on site expressly for this book-accompanied by essays from archaeologists and experts in Chinese art and history. What emerges is a profile of one of China's most powerful, legendary figures and a new view of one of Asia's most spectacular tourist attractions.
Synopsis
More than 22 centuries ago, in China's northwestern Shaanxi province, the first Qin emperor was buried in a magnificent tomb surrounded by an army of some 7,000 terra-cotta soldiers. This lavish volume offers a detailed look at that astonishing army, and the life and times of the man whose resting place it guards. Combining photographs taken expressly for the book with essays by leading experts, this is both a profile of a legendary figure and an unprecedented view of a spectacular archaeological site.
About the Author
Roberto Ciarla is an Orientalist and archaeologist and has directed and participated in numerous excavations in Asia. Since 1982 he has been curator of the Far East section of the National Museum of Oriental Art in Rome. He is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Italian Institute for Africa and the Orient and numerous cultural and scientific associations, and has chaired conferences on the art and archaeology of the Far East and Southeast Asia.
Araldo De Luca has always worked for important cultural institutes, architectural firms, museums, and prestigious publishers. He is currently considered one of the world's finest art photographers.