Terra cotta is a hard semifired waterproof ceramicclay used in pottery and building construction. The term is also used to refer to items made out of this material. The name is Italian for "baked earth".
Terra cotta has been used throughout history for sculpture and pottery, as well as bricks and roof shingles. In ancient times, the first clay sculptures were dried (baked) in the sun after being formed. Later, they were placed in the ashes of open hearths to harden, and finally kilns were used, similar to those used for pottery today. Terra cotta usually has a brownish-orange color.
Significant uses of terra cotta have included the Terracotta Army of China, built in 210–209 BC.
The term terra cotta also denotes a brownish orange color.
This army of more than 6,000 life size terracotta warriors, with horses and chariots lined up facing east and ready for battle, is one of the worlds most remarkable archaeological finds.
The terracotta warriors were made for Qin Shihuang (259-210BC),also known as The First Emperor, and with his mausoleum lying only 1.5km, (0.9 miles) away it is assumed the army was made to accompany him on his journeys after death.
It is thought to be the headquarters of the terracotta army and these warriors were in command of the soldiers in the other pits as they protected Qin Shihuang in the underworld.
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