In this activity, students will use close-looking techniques to examine bronze ranged weapons excavated from the tomb complex of China's First Emperor, Emperor Qin Shihuang (259–221 BCE). After learning about the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE), the First Emperor, and the objects, students will create their own arguments about what the objects reveal about this significant historical period and the ruler responsible for unifying China for the first time in its history.

Although the First Emperor's tomb complex is perhaps better known for the discovery of the Terracotta Army, a group of approximately 7,000 life-size terracotta warriors and horses, these weapons are some of the best archaeological evidence researchers have for understanding the spiritual beliefs, military practices, and values of the Qin dynasty.