Clay has long been used as a material for creating sculptures, and because of its malleable nature, can be crafted into a wide range of shapes. Clay becomes malleable when mixed with water in certain proportions, and while the clay remains wet, it can be shaped and sculpted with ease. When the clay dries out, it can crack and become rigid. When fired in a kiln, there are permanent chemical reactions that occur within the clay to prevent it from becoming soft and malleable again. In ancient times, clay was used for making pottery in various cultures. Clay is distributed throughout the world, and most often there are numerous layers of clay right below the ground’s surface. Because of its wide distribution, clay was used to create bowls, dishes, tools, and all kinds of living essentials in ancient cultures. Clay was also used in art to create clay sculptures and other pieces.
When clay dries, it becomes near impermeable to water, and because of this it was often used in bricks to create structures such as houses. We still use clay in modern times to create barriers in dams or landfills to prevent toxic substances from seeping into the ground.