中国泥塑（英文版）

TheartofclayfiguremodelinginChinaboastsalonghistorythatdatesbacktotheNeolithicAge(about4,000to10,000yearsB.E).Forinstance,somepotterypigsandsheephavebeendiscoveredatthe6,000to7,000-year-oldHemudusiteinZhejiangProvince.Andthelife-sizeterracottawarriorsandhorsesunearthedin1974fromthemausoleumoftheFirstEmperor(259-210BC)oftheQinDynasty(221-206BC)havebeenreferredtoasthe"EighthWonderoftheAncientWorld."Infact,archaeologistshaveexcavatedagreatnumberofpotteryfigurines,animals,chariots,andboatsfromthetombsofthefollowingHanDynasty(206BC-AD220).Naturally,thefuneralcustomofburyingfigurinesandobjectswiththedeadgaveimpetustothedevelopmentofclaysculptureatthattime.