The Enigmatic Majiayao Culture and Its Painted Pottery Legacy The Majiayao culture, flourishing between 3300 and 2000 BC in northwestern China—specifically encompassing Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, and the northern reaches of Sichuan—stands as a pivotal moment in Neolithic history. Emerging from the Yangshao culture’s earlier traditions, it distinguishes itself through an unparalleled mastery of terracotta craftsmanship, most notably its…