What were the defining features of clothing during the Tang Dynasty? What was life like for the nobility of that era? Which foods were most popular among the people? These questions, among others, are explored in the “Golden Age Wall Treasures” program at the Shaanxi History Museum, where young participants engage in an interactive learning experience that blends exploration, hands-on activities, and research to uncover the vibrant cultural context depicted in Tang dynasty tomb murals.
Museums are invaluable windows into our history and cultural heritage. Over time, prominent institutions like the Shaanxi History Museum have transformed their roles from merely collecting and showcasing artifacts to deeply exploring the significance of their collections. These museums have positioned themselves as essential “third classrooms” that foster education.
At the Tang Dynasty mural exhibit, Wang Jing from the museum’s educational department guided students through captivating wall paintings that reveal the everyday lives of people from the Tang era. The “Treasures of the Great Tang” exhibit connected artifacts excavated from Hejiacun—such as gold and silver utensils—with items illustrated in the tomb murals, sparking in-depth discussions about Tang cuisine and the various materials and types of objects used at the time.
After participating in the investigative phase, students were encouraged to create their own murals using techniques that mirror those of the Tang dynasty, fostering a personal connection to artistic expressions from a thousand years ago. This diverse range of activities—gallery visits, art practices, and interactive experiences—integrates history and art into a rich learning environment, offering a unique alternative to traditional classrooms for these young minds.
“The ‘Golden Age Wall Treasures’ course is not merely about transmitting knowledge; it focuses on shaping values and preserving cultural spirit,” Wang Jing explained. She aims to reveal the stories behind the Tang tomb murals, exploring their cultural significance and historical value.
Since its inception in December 2021, the Shaanxi History Museum’s “Golden Age Wall Treasures” program has hosted over 70 educational sessions, reaching more than 10,000 participants.
In addition to this series, the museum has crafted a variety of themed courses, such as “Inheriting Chinese Memories: Discovering the Beauty of Seasonal Changes,” and programs that delve into the treasures and history of the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties. These courses encompass traditional Chinese festivals, seasonal customs, and museum artifacts, creating a holistic educational curriculum.
Beyond onsite initiatives, the Shaanxi History Museum is also leveraging innovative technologies like AR, VR, and virtual simulations to produce engaging educational materials. Programs like “Tang Beauty Tells Stories” utilize multimedia presentations to narrate the tales of artifacts, enabling children who can’t physically visit the museum to connect with history in an enjoyable and accessible way.
Wang Jing underscored the museum’s commitment to continuously enriching its educational offerings, aiming to deliver rich, diverse, and engaging content that sparks young learners’ curiosity and encourages their exploration of history and cultural heritage. She envisions the museum as a cornerstone of history and cultural education for primary and secondary students, marking itself as an indispensable “third classroom.”
Additionally, the Shaanxi History Museum extends its programs to schools, providing extracurricular activities that complement formal education and offer diverse learning opportunities for youth as they navigate their educational journeys.
Looking toward the future, Wang Jing shared the museum’s intention to utilize its artifact collection, digital exhibitions, and research resources to develop an even broader range of educational projects, breathing new life into historical treasures and reinforcing its role as a pivotal institution for cultural education.
