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Press Release
Contacts:

Jaclyn Falkenstein
Public Relations Coordinator
(317) 334-4007
(317) 626-4555 cell
JaclynF@childrensmuseum.org

 

Chad Mertz
Public Relations Coordinator
(317) 334-3257
(317) 627-5615 (cell)
chadm@childrenscuseum.org
 

Children’s Museum Reveals Second Major Component of
National Geographic Treasures of the Earth
Visitors will explore underground archaeological excavation using
famous Chinese Terra Cotta Warrior discovery

As part of its series of Spring Break adventure announcements, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis revealed today the second component of its latest permanent exhibit opening in the summer of 2011. Underground archaeological excavation in China and the treasures produced will be one of three major areas of interest for National Geographic Treasures of the Earth.

In a setting filled with suspense, museum officials opened its second large crate in as many weeks, this time revealing a larger-than-life Terra Cotta Warrior replica, a treasure representing one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century.

Nearly 2,000 years ago, thousands of life-size clay figures were buried in massive underground pits to accompany China's first emperor, Qin Shihuangdi, into the afterlife. Treasures of the Earth will transport visitors to the modern-day excavation site outside the city of Xi'an.

“Recreating the Terra Cotta Warrior site in China will really give our visitors a sense of what it’s like to be in the middle of a once-in-a-lifetime archaeological discovery,” said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. “We started in the Dominican Republic, traveled to China, and I can tell you our final destination will be just as captivating.”

Visitors will do much more than just view the site—they will become part of the teams of scientists excavating and documenting the finds. Families can participate in vertical and horizontal dig sites, pack “artifacts” and ship them to the lab for further analysis, and learn about the Qin dynasty and why China’s first emperor commissioned this underground army.

To accomplish both the feat of recreating the Terra Cotta Warrior excavation site and obtaining related artifacts, The Children’s Museum has acquired a new partner.

"The Children's Museum is proud to announce an agreement with the Xian Municipal Museum and their vice president, Mr. Zheng Yi Kong,” said Patchen. “Mr. Kong has agreed to serve the Museum as an advisor for the Terra Cotta portion of the Treasures exhibit, and will assist the Museum in securing artifacts for the opening exhibit."

“We are constantly searching for ways to expand the museum’s national and international reach,” Patchen continued. “Transporting visitors to the Terra Cotta Warrior site, complete with real artifacts, allows people, and specifically children, to gain a wealth of knowledge without having to actually travel to China.”

In addition to the crate being opened, attendees at the announcement were treated to a special message from Charity Counts, Director of Traveling Exhibits at The Children’s Museum, and Susan Norton, Director of the National Geographic Museum in Washington, DC. Counts is currently at the National Geographic Museum and wanted to provide the audience with a glimpse of what they can expect from Treasures of the Earth.

The National Geographic Museum is currently exhibiting Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor.  While Treasures of the Earth will not include items from that exhibit, the knowledge visitors can gain and artifacts represented will be similar.

Following today’s announcement will be the final event on March 30. The last component of Treasures of the Earth will be unveiled at that time. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. at The Children’s Museum.

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The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary family learning experiences that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. The 472,900-square-foot facility houses 11 major galleries. Visitors can explore the physical and natural sciences, history, world cultures and the arts, see how dinosaurs lived 65 million years ago in Dinosphere: Now You’re in Their World®, experience Dale Chihuly’s Fireworks of Glass and examine children’s impact in shaping history in The Power of Children: Making a Difference. The Children’s Museum, situated on 19 acres of land in Indianapolis, presents hundreds of programs and activities each year. For more information about The Children’s Museum, visit www.childrensmuseum.org.
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