The terracotta soldiers were chosen as the best social indicator for the Qin Dynasty for many reasons. These clay warriors found near what is today the city of Xi’an, China are dated back to around 210 BCE, and reveal a great deal about social structure and beliefs of the Qin Dynasty. The armor worn by certain statues represented their status in the army. For example, dual long jackets and a dark purple crest hat indicated an army general. Additionally, the terracotta soldiers were made to protect Shi Huangdi in the afterlife, therefore indicating the religious beliefs of the Qin Dynasty. This artifact best supports the mission to streamline and improve the collection because it reveals a great deal about the society of the Qin Dynasty.

https://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/xian/terracotta/weapon.htm 

https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/asset/medicines-and-grinding-tools/BwHNTFkDlcffMg
Pablo Villa

This artifact improves our collection because it shows how the Gupta empire’s government and military operates. This artifact shows what the Gupta empire used to control all of India.

I chose this artifact to illustrate the style of military. Their style of military were initially imperialistic tactics. The military consisted of 500,000 infantry, 50,000 cavalry, 20,000 charioteers, and 10,000 elephants. All of these soldiers used the Khanda swords to attack uncontrolled territory up until Chandragupta II, when all of India was under Gupta control and they stopped being imperialistic.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khanda_(sword)

Ben Thorsheim

This is a stone carving of a couple bowing down in a greeting pose. They are respecting a higher caste guest like a Brahmin or Kshatriya. The male figure has a long triangular beard and his hair is arranged backwards. The female has a bun hairstyle and decorated necklace. Their appearance resembles a moderate caste like Vaisya which is a merchant or landowner. This structure was found in the main city of Nalanda. This artifact shows an everyday greeting custom from the Gupta empire that citizens would use. It also demonstrates the caste system and how the lower castes must show respect to higher ranks. This structure shows the tradition of patriarchy, how men have more respect than women and can only have high government positions. The carving represents the everyday clothing a Vaisya caste would wear. The artifact highlights how people dressed and a custom during the Gupta empire.

Qin Dynasty

Political 

This sword is the political artifact for the Qin dynasty because it shows the dynasty's harsh legalistic ways. The Qin dynasty was first ruled by ruthless leader Shi Huangdi. The Qin dynasty lasted from 221–206 BC. Although the time period was very short, the Qin dynasty left it’s mark on China. This artifact supports the mission to improve our collection because it directly shows the violent ways Shi Huangdi ruled his country. He would execute any civilian who did not agree with his ways. This sword was chosen to illustrate the importance of the Qin dynasty because the Qin laid down legalist ways of ruling for years to come in China.

(This sword is from the George C. Marshall foundation which is a museum in Lexington, Virginia).