Terra cotta warriors heading to D.C.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Washington's National Geographic Museum says its exhibition "Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China's First Emperor" is to open this month.

The ancient sculptures are to be on display from Nov. 19 through March 31.

Washington is the show's final stop on a four-city U.S. tour.

"The exhibition offers an in-depth look at China's First Emperor's enormous tomb complex, considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century," the National Geographic Museum said in a news release. "The tomb contained thousands of terra cotta warriors intended to protect the emperor in the afterlife. The exhibition showcases 100 sets of objects, including 15 terra cotta figures representing soldiers, archers, servants, musicians and animals. This is the greatest number of warriors ever to travel to the United States for a single exhibition."

More than 70,000 advance tickets have been sold for the museum's first-ever ticketed exhibition, the institution said.