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]