During the 2nd to 1st century BCE, sculptures became more explicit, representing episodes of the Buddha's life and teachings. These took the form of votive tablets or friezes, usually in relation to the decoration of stupas.
Zheng He was a diplomat and navy admiral who served the Chinese Empire during the Ming Dynasty. He commanded expeditions to Southeast Asia and Eastern Africa during the first decades of the 15th century.
Zheng's fleet followed well known commercial trade routes throughout East Asia. He delivered gifts to the places he stopped along the way, such as Brunei, Java, and Thailand. He received goods such as ostriches, zebras, and ivory along the way.
