Questions for Emperor's Ghost Army documentary
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History
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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Uploaded by MasterElephant3955
Questions for Emperor's Ghost Army documentary
Who did you watch with?
Your Answer:
A friend
Question 2
Interview your co-watcher to find out what they found most interesting about the film and
why. Do you agree with them?
Your Answer:
What they found most interesting about the film was the cultural and artistic aspects of
the Terracotta Army and how the film was able to provide an understanding of it's
importance in Chinese Heritage. I was able to agree and also found that aspect
interesting, but personally thought the preservation of the Terracotta Army was most
fascinating.
Question 3
What do we see archaeologists (and other scholars) do in this film? In what ways are
their activities portrayed as objective, empirical research? Are you, the viewer, expected
to see that research as scientific? Why or why not?
Your Answer:
In the film, we see archeologists and other scholars engaging in activities relating to the
excavation and study of the terracotta army. The archeologists are shown documenting
their findings with photographs and measurements, as well as analyzing artifacts. The
documentary also highlights the use of different techniques to explore the site and
discover hidden treasures, in which the methods are portrayed as scientific approaches
to understanding the site. The viewer is expected to see the research as scientific
because of the different approaches used to understand the significance of the
terracotta army.
Question 4
How does the documentary portray the individual who initially discovered the site? In
what ways does it express which forms of knowledge are most valid?
Your Answer:
The documentary portrays the the individual, Yang Zhifa, as someone with great
historical significance and a key figure in identifying the buried statues. It expresses
expertise and local knowledge as most valid in understanding the past.
Question 5
Why do you think the filmmakers decided to use the Terracotta Army as the signature
artifact category for understanding the archaeological site (even though historical
sources don’t even mention them when discussing the Qin Emperor’s vast tomb
complex)? What does that decision mean for how a particular culture is represented and
how the archaeology is made relevant to the viewer?
Your Answer:
The filmmakers most likely used the Terracotta army as the signature artifact for
reasons such as cultural significance, connection to the past, and marketing/appeal.
The Terracotta army is a symbol of ancient China and it could've been used as a central
artifact to emphasize cultural significance of the site. It is also overall well known and
many viewers may have been familiar with its history. Also, by using the Terracotta
Army, it allows viewers to relate to ancient civilization and the legacy left behind.
Question 6
What do we learn from this presentation about the various social classes of ancient
Chinese society of the Qin Empire? Does the film demonstrate any particular biases
about the importance of different members of that society?
Your Answer:
The presentation of the Qin Empire in the documentary provides insights into the social
classes of ancient Chinese society during that time. Some biases demonstrated include
hierarchy and inequality, and class biases. The film briefly discusses the emperor's
autocratic rule and his ambition to have his will obeyed, which suggests a hierarchy in
the society. While the film highlights the emperor's tomb and the Terracotta Army, it
doesn't talk about the lives of the common people of those who were part of a lower
social class.
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