Terra-cotta is a type of reddish-brown clay that has been baked until it becomes hard and durable. The name comes from Italian words meaning “baked earth,” which describes what it is: earth that's been transformed by fire.

You've probably seen terra-cotta flower pots at a garden center. Their warm orange-brown color and slightly rough texture are instantly recognizable. Ancient civilizations discovered that when they shaped this special clay and fired it in hot ovens called kilns, it became strong enough to hold water, store food, or even form parts of buildings.

The famous terra-cotta warriors of China demonstrate the material's remarkable durability. Over 2,000 years ago, craftspeople created thousands of life-sized soldier statues from terra-cotta to guard an emperor's tomb. Each warrior had unique facial features and stood over six feet tall. Today, archaeologists are still excavating these sculptures, which survived underground for over two millennia.

Terra-cotta roofing tiles have protected buildings across the Mediterranean for centuries, and sculptors still use terra-cotta to create everything from small figurines to large architectural decorations. The material remains popular because it's relatively easy to work with when wet, becomes permanent when fired, and develops a beautiful, earthy color that many people find appealing.