Remarkable new research into China's famed Terracotta Army reveals that the ancient Greeks may have had a hand in the creation of the amazing collection of clay statues.
Archaeologists studying the incredible 8,000 sculptures say that they bear a striking resemblance to the classic style produced by Greek artists.
And, intriguingly, researchers were actually able to extract DNA from the site where the figures were found in 1974.
This genetic material, they say, matches that of ancient Europeans, suggesting that not only did the Greeks likely inspire the sculpture style, but individual artists could have had a hand in helping to create the Terracotta Army.
The findings could effectively re-write the history books in that, until now, it was believed that Marco Polo was the first European to arrive in China.
However if the DNA analysis is correct, it would indicate that travel between Europe and China may have taken place an astounding 1,500 years before Marco Polo's arrival.
As if the Terracotta Warriors were not impressive enough, it turns out that the ancient army held additional insights that may forever alter our understanding of human history.
Source: The Guardian