Xi'an - Imperial Power in the Afterlife
Burial Goods and Temple Treasures from China's Ancient Capital
Results of GermanChinese cooperation in the Protection of Cultural Property
new: 21 April - 23 July 2006
Press conference: 04/20/2005, 11 a.m.

This exhibition presents recent archaeological discoveries from the vast necropolis surrounding the city of Xi'an, the very cradle of Chinese culture and capital of China through thirteen dynasties. Taking the unification of the empire under China's first emperor Qin Shihuangdi as its starting point, the exhibition focuses on the Qin, Han and Tang dynasties (221 BC - 907 AD) and showcases 200 magnificent objects from the sumptuous funerary complexes and rich temple furnishings of the emperor and the aristocracy. An impressive computer-aided display allows a glimpse into the as yet unopened burial chambers of two imperial tombs.
Employing the latest technology, the exhibition introduces the public to the area around China's ancient capital and highlights the outstanding importance of this world heritage site. A comprehensive book on the archaeology of Xi'an is published in conjunction with the exhibition, and a three-day international conference will bring together the leading scholars of the field. Xi'an - Imperial Power in the Afterlife marks more than fifteen years of cooperation between Germany and China in the domain of the preservation of the cultural heritage.