Last call for 'China's Terracotta Warriors'

Extended hours through Jan. 27: Buried for centuries, the first soldiers in the terracotta army of China's first emperor emerged to international astonishment more than 30 years ago. More than 7,000 of them have been dug up in the intervening decades. A kneeling archer, cavalry officers, horses and several generals from this vast military complex -- all recently excavated -- have spent the past two months in Minneapolis and will be returning to their homeland soon. With them are gold sword hilts, bronze bells and life-size water birds (a crane, a swan, two geese) plus bits of armor, weapons, ancient chariots, architectural fragments from palace complexes, and other goods necessary for life in the afterworld. Organized especially for Minnesota audiences, the exhibition includes maps and background that bring the world of ancient China to life again. The show has been held over for a additional week, and hours have been extended until 8 p.m. Tue.-Wed. and Fri.-Sat. (Ends Jan. 27. $20 weekends; $18 weekdays. Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 3rd Av. S., Mpls. 612-870-3000 or www.artsmia.org.)