Chinese artisans to repair damaged terracotta warrior in US

Officials from the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center are sending two professionals to Philadelphia to restore a terracotta warrior statue which had its thumb broken off and stolen in December.

[Photo: Weibo account of China.org.cn]

24-year old Michael Rohana has allegedly admitted to damaging the 2,200 year old Chinese relic which is on display at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

The artifact, dubbed the "Cavalryman," was created around 209 B.C.E. as one of roughly 8,000 life-sized statues of terracotta solders created to protect the tomb of Qin Shihuang, better known as the first Emperor of China.

It's one of 10 terracotta warrior statues on display at the Franklin Institute.

The special exhibition at the Institute's Museum will run through March 4th.