Art Appreciation Exam #3 - Art of the Americas
Cultures (North America)
Anasazi Lakota, Crow, Mandan Kwakiutl
Art from South America
Andean Art
Scientific evidence
Archaeological finds DNA testing
Chavin de Huantar, Peru
"Chavin" is one of the oldest cultures in South America. Pilgrimage center marked by temples and stone monuments.
How do we know about cultures from ancient Americas?
* Indigenous Accounts * European Accounts * Scientific evidence
European accounts
Eyewitness reports and translation of indigenous histories
The Moche
Known for pottery, textiles, and metalwork. Gold was not as valuable as textiles. [Earspool]
The Maya
Known for pyramids / architecture, stone monuments, paintings, pottery, and jewelry. [Cylindrical vessel with ritual ballgame scene] [Bonampak mural, Room 2]
Importance of Wool
Textiles were greatly valued. Animals were honored in art works. [Silver, Gold, cinnabar, Llama]
South America
[..]
Stepped Pyramid
a pyramid consisting of several rectangular structures place on top of one another
Stela
upright stone slab decorated with inscriptions or pictorial relief carvings [Drawing of detail from Raimondi Stela, New Temple, Chavine de Huantar.]
Areas of Aztec Empire
Central Mexico Guatemala El Salvador Honduras. [A Human Sacrifice] [The Mother Goddess, Coaticue] [Dismemberment of Coyolxauhqui]
Cultures
Chavin Paracas Nazca Moche Tiwanaku Inca
Some of the oldest human made artifacts found were spear points called
Clovis points Found in: * Clovis, New Mexico * Chile * Oregon * Virginia
Teotihuacan
Location where the Pyramid of the Sun is Found. Central highlands of mexico. Known for Pyramid and plaza configuration. [Plan of the ceremonial center]
Mesoamerica
Modern-day Mexico and Central America
North America
Natural materials use for architecture and art
Plains Indians
Nomadic lifestyle and were known for their portable dwellings called Tipis. (Teepees) Known for beadwork, textiles, portable architecture. [Robe with battle scene] [Wo-Haw between Two Worlds]
Cultures (Mesoamerica)
Olmecs Teotihuacanos Maya Aztecs
Indigenous accounts
Oral histories, writings, and inscriptions
The Inca
Pachacuti (ruler) selected the mountain top for his private estate and religious retreat. Stones were tightly fitted with out mortar. [Machu Picchu]
Paracas
People who lived off of the coast of Peru. Known for their textiles.
Aztecs
Powerful empire in Mesoamerica
The Anasazi
Present day "four corners' - were Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah meet Known for architecture, weaving, pottery, painting. [Cliff Palace]
Necropolis
cemetery or burial place. Preserved many textiles of the Paracas people. Textile: [Paracas Textile, embroidered with mythological figure]
