The figurine came from a tomb in Wuwei, Gansu province about 2000 kilometers away from Beijing. In 1969, local villagers discovered this tomb when digging bomb shelters. More than 200 pieces of gold, silver, jade, pottery, and bronze wares were excavated. The most eye-catching were a procession of 99 bronze honor guards, horses and carts. They were made with such true-to-life craftsmanship that some of the rear doors of the carriage can even open. Though the occupant of the tomb remains unknown, the procession shows the man was by no means ordinary.

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