A terra cotta archer kneels in a perpetually protective stance. The ancient sculptures once guarded the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shihuangdi.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
The warriors are a magnetic attraction, both because of their legendary history and the way they, along with 7,000 other sculptures, including this 750-pound horse, were discovered: accidentally.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
In 1974, a group of farmers digging a well outside the town of Xi'an in central China discovered the tomb of Qin Shihuangdi, who ruled the country from 221 to 210 B.C.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
As they excavated, Chinese archaeologists discovered a vault with thousands of figures, including 2,000 soldiers, 100 chariots, 400 horses and 300 cavalry horses.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
Two musicians flank a strongman's body. The warrior sculptures were lined up in formation, arranged to protect the emperor in the afterlife.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
The discovery of the Terra Cotta Warriors sent thrills through the archaeology community, and the complex where they were found is a World Heritage Site, protected forever.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
The Terra Cotta Warriors show contains almost 100 other objects, including a bronze crane, left, and a bronze swan.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
One of the exhibition's two musicians. When the statues traveled to London in 2007 and 2008, the British Museum was forced to turn people away -- even though the museum kept its doors open until midnight four days a week.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
To accommodate the size of the artifacts and provide enough room for visitors to move around the statues, National Geographic has renovated its first-floor space.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
The profile of an officer in the terra cotta army.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
A contemporary diorama depicts the assembly line process used to create the incredible army of statues. It is estimated that 700,000 workers participated in building the underground complex, an effort that lasted more than 36 years.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
A chariot driver, arms outstretched to take the reins.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
Three standing officers in the final chamber of the exhibition, which is open through March.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
The hand-sculpted face of an infantryman.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
Two infantrymen flank a chariot driver while, at right, a couple of archers are ready for action.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
Gallery Credits:
Producer, Photo Editor Stephen Cook
