Emperor Qin Shi Huang's effigy army was originally festooned in bright colors and, most interestingly, purple—an enigmatic and complex compound that was far ahead of its time. Archaeology magazine writer and editor Samir S. Patel talks about the history of this surprisingly sophisticated pigment and the challenges of trying to save the color of still-buried soldiers. Graciously sponsored in conjunction with the Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor in memory of Harry Rooney.
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