First emperor still fascinates with his treasures

Two ceramic acrobatic figurines just restored by experts debut at this time. One is a rare example of the acrobatic figurines found from the mausoleum with a complete head. These special figurines were unearthed from an 800-square-meter satellite pit between the inner and outer walls in the southeastern part of the mausoleum with 37 other figurines. Archaeologists believe they embody entertainment providers who performed for the emperor in his palaces.

Apart from the exhibition, an international conference was also held in September to mark the occasion, during which Li summarized the achievements of archaeologists and heritage protectors over the past decades.

"As of now, the mausoleum has received over 160 million visits from home and abroad, making it a globally renowned cultural tourist destination and a model for the protection, research and revitalization of cultural heritage," says Li.

"The precious relics and artifacts bear witness to the material culture, technological achievements and civilization before and after Qin unified China. The archaeological work has played an important role in tracing the development of Chinese civilization and showcasing its brilliant achievements."