British Academy Project status renewed for Terracotta Army research

The project 'Imperial Logistics: The Making of the Terracotta Army' seeks to understand the crafting methods and logistical organisation behind the creation of the famous Terracotta Army and the broader mausoleum constructed in the 3^rd century BC for China's first emperor.

Research began in 2006 as a collaboration between the UCL Institute of Archaeology and the Museum of Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum, under the auspices of the International Centre for Chinese Heritage and Archaeology and the Chinese Ministry of Culture. The project has capitalised on the synergic strengths of both partner institutions, incorporating scientific approaches such as archaeometallurgy, ceramic analysis, geometric morphometrics and spatial statistics.

The research collaboration was renewed in 2016, the agreement being sanctioned by the Chinese State Administration of Cultural Heritage. The renewal of British Academy Project status (2017-2022), confirms institutional endorsement at the highest level in both China and the UK.

The British Academy Research Project scheme grants academic recognition to outstanding collaborative projects working to produce fundamental research. The Academy sees its association with such projects as part of its Excellence and Engagement role, and benefits from being publicly associated with work of outstanding research significance.

Further information

• British Academy Project website
• Imperial Logistics project website
• International Centre for Chinese Heritage and Archaeology
• Museum of Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum