General Questions
Which culture is the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings from?
Pueblo/Anasazi
What is the content of the Olmec style mask?
This mask was used to connect with ancestors and bring back the dead, but this piece is mostly relatively unknown.
What is the theme of Machu Picchu? (2)
Domestic; Sacred Space
Who is the creator of the black-on-black ceramic vessel and why are they famous?
Maria Martinez is the primary artist of the piece.
She is famous for her black-on-black technique, not using a wheel, her unique designs, and her firing process.
What is the function of Templo Mayor?
Served as the religious and political center of the Aztec capital.
What is the concept of Axis Mundi?
Axis Mundi is the concept of drawing a connection between heaven and earth.
What is the significance of the Maize cobs and the material
Maize is the main crop of the Incan people and was their main source of sustenance and sacred crop.
This piece represented the fertility of the land and the people and was made using gold and silver alloys, with sheet metal via repousse
What is the theme of the great serpent mound?
Earth Work
What is the context for why Machu Picchu was created?
Inca ruler Pachacuti made a 3 day journey from Cusco, to develop a site, a royal house for himself.
What is the purpose of the Trade (Gifts for Trading with White People)?
It challenged a cultural movement, referencing native life and how white people misrepresented and took advantage of the natives.
What is earthwork?
Large scale works of art made by manipulating or altering the natural landscape.
Explain the content of the calendar stone
The Calendar Stone/Sun Stone is an artifact that shows the face of Tonatuih (sun god) in the center. There are four suns surrounding the face, showing the four previous eras of the world; with the current era (fifth sun) which is predicted end in earthquakes)
What is the theme of the Yaxchilan
Power and Authority
Who are the two main gods honored as Templo Mayor? What temple are they honored in and what do they represent to the Aztec people?
North is the Temple of Tlaloc: God of rain, earth fertility
South is the Temple of Huitzilopochtli: God of war, sun, and fire
What is the intended purpose of the Elk hid painting of a Sun Dance and what did it later turn into?
It was originally used for warmth as they put it over their teepees. However, it later became a commercial commodity as when the natives were moved to the reservations, they needed a way to fund their living.
What is Ashlar masonry?
A type of stone construction where all stones are dressed or cut to a uniform, shape size, and surface appearance.
What is the significance of Lintel 25 (structure 23) and Structure 33
Lintel 25 (structure 23): Shows the tradition of bloodletting, which was practiced to access other realms
Structure 33: This architectural piece was built by Bird Jaguar IV, who did projects and monuments to legitimize his rule.
What is the theme of the Elk hide painting of a Sun Dance (2)
Cultural Identity, Commercial Commodity
What is Tawantinsuyu, what piece does it refer to, what are the names of the two sectors of the plan, and who lives in which area?
Tawantinsuyu refers to the land of the four quarters in the City of Cusco plan. The two sectors are Hanan (The upper that houses the elite and emperor), and Hurin (The lower half that holds everybody else)
What is the function of the Coyolxauhqui ”Bells Her Cheeks” and explain a bit of the story
It is a sacred stone that shows a narrative
The story is the goddess Coyolxauhqui, the sister of the patron god, Huitzilopochtli, who killed his sister when she attempted to kill her mother, and was dismembered.
Who is Montezuma II, and what piece is he associated with?
Montezuma is one of the most famous Aztec emperors and during his reign, the Aztecs were at their peak. He is associated with the Ruler's headdress which was a symbol of power and authority due to its immense size. (The bigger the headdress, the more important the person).
How do transformation masks work? Explain how a family obtains one, what they represent, and what their function is.
A family usually has a signature spirit animal, that is passed down within a family or clan. During ceremonies/festivals, it is said that the person wearing the mask transforms into the animal on the mask.
What is the themes of the All- T'oqapu tunic? (3)
Power and Authority; Sacred Object; Luxury Item
Explain the context of the Chavin de Huanter. Explain what the Lanzon Stela is, some features, its location, and its significance.
The Chavin de Haunter site located in Peru is a major ceremonial center during the Chavin culture.
The Lanzon Stela depicts a standing figure with large eyes, a large mouth that has bared teeth, and protruding fangs, and it is a mixture of human and animal figures.
It is located in the Old Temple and was likely used for ritual ceremonies.
What is the function of the All-T'oqapu Tunic and what aspects determine the power that ones holds
Textile art was tied to social status and identity.
More vibrant colors, handmade, more intricate geometric patterns determined the status of the piece, and thus the person wearing it.