Face to face with Genghis Khan
The Exhibition, which is a newly launched mega-display at Singapore’s latest attraction, the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands, opens up the mind of a once great ruler, Genghis Khan.
The exhibition is the largest and the first ever seen outside Mongolia, with more than 200 rare treasures put together by leading Genghis Khan experts Dr. William Fitzhugh (the Smithsonian Institution), Dr. Morris Rossabi (Columbia University) and Dr William Honeychurch (Yale University), with Don Lessem, President of Exhibits Rex, Inc.Enter the exhibition and be greeted by a replica of the Genghis Khan, one of a few life-like figurines who may raise the heckles of those who are easily spooked.
Be warned too, that the exhibition includes the mummified remains of a Mongolian aristocrat who was found naturally preserved with her clothes all intact.
This is a highlight of the exhibition that includes curved composite bows, ancient passports and felt-huts, all common-place during the period of Genghis Khan.
Known as a ruthless 13th-Century warlord, Genghis Khan managed to conquer parts of Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Even with a fairly small army, the famous leader of Mongolia ruled a kingdom that stretched from Poland to the Korea for more than 150 years.
How the great Khan and his hordes of managed to achieve such a feat can be seen at the 1500 square meter exhibition at the ArtScience Museum which also features designated areas for children to play games or search for treasure at ‘excavation pits’.
Although it was the 13th Century, the Mongols used innovation and ingenuity to conquer the world with just a bow and an arrow. But it was no ordinary weapon.
There was a special whistling arrow, that when shot with the bow was believed to have sent a high-pitched sound over great distances, creating fear within the enemy camp as the noise signaled the arrival of the invaders and gave the illusion of great strength and proximity.
The Mongolian warriors who were known for their ability to shoot while charging on horseback, also benefitted from using their unique bow that could shoot a normal arrow 300 meters further than those used by other fighters.
Visitors who get to witness weapons in action will understand the intelligent warfare of Genghis Khan along with siege strategies such as the trebuchet, with enhancements for distance, accuracy and power.
The exhibition that is on till 10 April also offers new insights into the great mind and cultural development by the man most dismissed as a barbarian.
Among the interesting artifacts on display is a bronzed-gold looking tablet or “Paiza”.
This inventive artifact was only given to Mongol officials and envoys of Genghis Khan, for important mail, tax and travel purposes in and out of the country.
It was through Genghis Khan’s clever system of the “Paiza” that modern man has the passport of today.
What’s even more amazing are the factual gems that can be unearthed at the exhibition, such as the nugget that at least one in 200 men on this earth, is a descendant of the Great Khan.
Considering that Genghis Khan had 500 wives and concubines, as well as first pick of the maidens in new territories, and the fact that Khan’s children and grandchildren favoured multiple wives, there’s little room to doubt the findings based on modern scientific technology and DNA research.
Take a trip to see if you can find any traces of ancestry while wandering amid the “Gers” with authentic furnishings and music from Mongolian musicians who perform every day except Tuesdays.
The exhibition is the largest and the first ever seen outside Mongolia, with more than 200 rare treasures put together by leading Genghis Khan experts Dr. William Fitzhugh (the Smithsonian Institution), Dr. Morris Rossabi (Columbia University) and Dr William Honeychurch (Yale University), with Don Lessem, President of Exhibits Rex, Inc.Enter the exhibition and be greeted by a replica of the Genghis Khan, one of a few life-like figurines who may raise the heckles of those who are easily spooked.
Be warned too, that the exhibition includes the mummified remains of a Mongolian aristocrat who was found naturally preserved with her clothes all intact.
This is a highlight of the exhibition that includes curved composite bows, ancient passports and felt-huts, all common-place during the period of Genghis Khan.
Known as a ruthless 13th-Century warlord, Genghis Khan managed to conquer parts of Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Even with a fairly small army, the famous leader of Mongolia ruled a kingdom that stretched from Poland to the Korea for more than 150 years.
How the great Khan and his hordes of managed to achieve such a feat can be seen at the 1500 square meter exhibition at the ArtScience Museum which also features designated areas for children to play games or search for treasure at ‘excavation pits’.
Although it was the 13th Century, the Mongols used innovation and ingenuity to conquer the world with just a bow and an arrow. But it was no ordinary weapon.
There was a special whistling arrow, that when shot with the bow was believed to have sent a high-pitched sound over great distances, creating fear within the enemy camp as the noise signaled the arrival of the invaders and gave the illusion of great strength and proximity.
The Mongolian warriors who were known for their ability to shoot while charging on horseback, also benefitted from using their unique bow that could shoot a normal arrow 300 meters further than those used by other fighters.
Visitors who get to witness weapons in action will understand the intelligent warfare of Genghis Khan along with siege strategies such as the trebuchet, with enhancements for distance, accuracy and power.
The exhibition that is on till 10 April also offers new insights into the great mind and cultural development by the man most dismissed as a barbarian.
Among the interesting artifacts on display is a bronzed-gold looking tablet or “Paiza”.
This inventive artifact was only given to Mongol officials and envoys of Genghis Khan, for important mail, tax and travel purposes in and out of the country.
It was through Genghis Khan’s clever system of the “Paiza” that modern man has the passport of today.
What’s even more amazing are the factual gems that can be unearthed at the exhibition, such as the nugget that at least one in 200 men on this earth, is a descendant of the Great Khan.
Considering that Genghis Khan had 500 wives and concubines, as well as first pick of the maidens in new territories, and the fact that Khan’s children and grandchildren favoured multiple wives, there’s little room to doubt the findings based on modern scientific technology and DNA research.
Take a trip to see if you can find any traces of ancestry while wandering amid the “Gers” with authentic furnishings and music from Mongolian musicians who perform every day except Tuesdays.
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