Heritage Malta is organising two lectures in collaboration with the China Cultural Centre as a preview to the exhibition of terracotta soldiers that will open early next year. The lectures are being held on 30 November and 1 December at the National Museum of Archaeology, Republic Street, Valletta at 6pm.

In the first lecture on 30 November, Dr Song Xinchao, Director-General of the Department of Museums in China will speak about “The Archaeological Finds of the Yangtze River” and the “Three Gorges Project”. This project was launched to monitor the Yangtze River, the longest river in China and birthplace of China’s civilisations. As the area has long been afflicted by disastrous floods, the Three Gorges project involved archaeological surveys, excavations and protective efforts. During the lecture, Dr Song will highlight the archaeological finds of the project and expand on the importance of the areas in palaeo-anthropology, Neolithic culture, ancient culture exchange and hydrological archaeology.

In the second lecture on 1 December, Prof. Li Xiuzhen, from the Archaeological Department of the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Emperor Qin Shihuang in Xian, China, will speak about the “Emperor Qin Shihuang and His Underground Kingdom”. The buried army of the first Emporer of China is one of the largest and most stunning archaeological finds of the 20th century and is regarded as the eight wonder of the world. Prof. Li will focus on the life of Qin Shihuang, how he became the first Emperor of China and what his mausoleum looked like. A number of interesting slides will help the

audience picture the magnificence of Qin Shihuang’s underground kingdom.

Admission to both lectures is free. However, since seating is limited the public is advised to collect a ticket for each lecture from Heritage Malta’s Head Office in Merchants Street, Valletta or from the China Cultural Centre in Melita Street, corner with St Paul Street, Valletta.