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Expedia teamed up with The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis to reveal the real-life locations behind the fascinating artifacts that are showcased in the National Geographic Treasures of the Earth exhibit.
While there’s certainly something magical about traveling to popular spots like the Eiffel Tower in Paris and Times Square in New York City, sometimes it’s the lesser known, more mysterious places that are the most enthralling.
At Expedia.com, we recently discovered the Treasures of the Earth exhibit at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. This interactive gallery helps families to unlock ancient mysteries around the globe, from the Chinese Terra Cotta Army and Captain Kidd’s shipwreck to the tomb of Egyptian pharaoh Seti I. From underground secret passages to the dark depths of the ocean, this captivating exhibit further charged our desire to dig into the stories behind some of the world’s most mysterious sites.
Kidd’s Shipwreck
While you’re in the Treasures of the Earth exhibit, follow the maps and go under the sea to discover details about Captain William Kidd’s shipwreck. According to legend, more than 300 years ago, Kidd abandoned his ship—the Quedagh Merchant—and it was looted and burned, before sinking to the bottom of the sea.
Today, the actual wreckage is protected and known as the “Living Museum of the Sea,” sitting off of Catalina Island in the Dominican Republic. In just10-feet of water, you can swim around the remains of the Quedagh Merchant and marvel at barnacle-covered cannons and anchors. Around the wreckage, underwater plaques provide additional information about the site. While you might not find any silver or gold, this 17th-century shipwreck is a treasure in and of itself.
The Terra Cotta Army
In the Treasures of the Earth exhibit, you can gaze at a Terra Cotta Warrior replica—and near the ancient city of Xi’an, China, you can marvel at more than 8,000 of the originals!
In the mid-3rd-century, Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered the construction of a massive burial complex for himself. The mausoleum covers 20-square miles and is filled with thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots. More than 700,000 workers built the army to protect the emperor in his afterlife, but archaeologists believe the emperor died before the project could be completed.
The warriors were arranged in battle formations, and they include high-ranking officers, cavalry, and infantry units, all of which are distinguished by their attire. Though molds were used to create each soldier, facial features were added to the individual soldiers to set them apart from one another. Altogether, this elaborate burial design is believed to be China’s largest imperial tomb.
Seti’s Tomb
Venture down into Seti’s replica tomb in the Treasures of the Earth exhibit, where you can explore the Egyptian burial chamber model. Pharaoh Seti I ruled Egypt between 1313 and 1292 B.C., and his burial grounds are renowned for their artistic elements. The museum’s interactive recreation is especially intriguing because the real tomb of Seti I is currently closed to the public.
The actual tomb is buried under the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Considered the largest and longest tomb in the valley, the burial chamber sits at the bottom of a staircase, two corridors, a ritual shaft, and pillared rooms—all of which are intricately decorated with colorful paintings. Some designs depict stories from the “Book of Gates,” while others are of constellations and astronomical calendars.
You don’t have to be Indiana Jones to discover these gripping destinations (though you can find Indy’s screen-used props in the exhibit!) Instead, head to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and dive deep into these archaeological recreations to learn more about some of the most treasured artifacts around the globe.
Written by Chloe Mulliner
