Art of the Americas- Practice

The colossal head monuments have managed to survive thousands of years, however have been faced with various circumstances that have caused damage. Name one form of damage incurred to the monuments.

Answers may vary, but should be similar to the following: The monuments have faced vandalism, flooding, and the wear-and-tear of time.

Outline the physical and cultural characteristics on ancient Mesoamerica.

Mesoamerica includes the land between the continents of North America and South America. Its landforms range from rainforests to semiarid mountains. The different civilizations were linked by cultural similarities and trade. There was a sharp division between the elite and commoner classes.

Describe the painting style of the Mayans. Which class were painters a part of?

The Mayans employed the codex-style of painting. Using this method, a vessel was covered in white slip, painted in light brown washes, then outlined in dark brown or black. Painters were often members of the ruling elite.

Describe the physical and cultural aspects of the North American Southwest.

The North American Southwest included the areas of present-day New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah. It was mainly made up of farming cultures, which were slower to arise in the American Southwest. They built large-scale irrigation systems and elaborate, multi-storied structures.

What type of sculptures were created by the Olmecs? How did they get the materials needed to make the sculptures?

The Olmecs produced an abundance of basalt sculpture. Basalt blocks were quarried, then transported from distant sites.

1086-07-03-04-00_files/i0040000.jpg Name and describe this type of sculpture. Which group created this type of sculpture?

This is a colossal head found at La Venta. The Olmecs created these sculptures, which ranged from 5 to 12 feet tall. It is believed that they were suppose to represent important people.

1086-07-03-04-00_files/i0090000.jpg Name this piece of art and its location. How was it created by the artist?

This piece is entitled, Anthropomorphs, and was found in Utah. To create this piece, the painted used his/her fingers and yucca fiber brushes to apply reddish pigment made from iron oxide to the rock.

Name this piece of art and its location. How was it created by the artist?

This piece is entitled, Anthropomorphs, and was found in Utah. To create this piece, the painted used his/her fingers and yucca fiber brushes to apply reddish pigment made from iron oxide to the rock.

1086-07-03-04-00_files/i0080000.jpg Name this example of Rock art. Explain the history of this piece and what it shows.

This piece is entitled, Hunter's Mural, and was found in Utah. It is believed to have been created by the Freemont people sometime between 800 and 1300 CE. It shows a hunting scene.

1086-07-03-04-00_files/i0050000.jpg Name and describe this Mayan sculpture. Explain the cultural practice that can be observed in this sculpture.

This sculpture is entitled, Lord Pakal. It is made of stucco and was found in the tomb of Lord Pakal. You can see the figures head is cone shaped, which was considered ideal to the Mayans. They preformed a practice on babies in which they bound their heads in order to produce a cone shape.