Key Terms 1
An adjective used to characterize objects as large, stone monuments.
What is megalithic?
A mode of ritual approach and worship in which the devotee walks around the monument in a clockwise direction.
What is circumambulation?
Identify the following object's Title, Culture, Date, and Material (Slide 5)
Unicorn Seal
Indus Valley Civilization
C. 3000-1500 BCE
Glazed Steatite
Identify the Title, Period and Date, Material, and Location of this object (slide 11)
Haniwa Figure of a Horse
Kofun period, 6th century
Earthenware
Japan
Answer the following questions about this site:
(Slide 17)
Lomasa Rishi Cave
c. 250 BCE
Barabar Hills
The title of a universal monarch or emperor whose rule is seen as unbounded; also an epithet of the Buddha, whose teachings were widely propagated. The word literally means "wheel-turner."
What is a Chakravartin?
A large, key-hole shaped tomb. Emperor Nintoku was buried in such a tomb after his death in 399 CE.
What is a kofun?
Identify the following object's: Title, Date and Patron. What is the significance of original site of display for this object? (Slide 6)
Sarnath Lion Capital
Patron: Emperor Ashoka
C. 250 BCE
Significance: Site of the Buddha’s first sermon
Identify the object’s: Title, Period and Date, Material, and Location.
What is a Bodhisattva? (slide 12)
Pensive Bodhisattva
3 Kingdoms Period, Silla Kingdom
6th-7th century
Gilt bronze
Korea
A Bodhisattva is an enlightened being, one who is himself on the threshold of enlightenment and helps others to achieve it.
Answer the following questions about this site: (slide 19)
Karle chaitya
Cave interior
C. 50-75 CE
The place in a Buddhist temple reserved for meditation.
What is a chaitya?
A solid, funerary mound that enshrines a casket with relics of the Buddha.
What is a stupa?
Identify the Title, Dynasty, Date, Material and Location of this artwork.
How do the conical features on the bell function? (slide 7)
Master Lai’s Bell
Western Zhou dynasty
ca. 900–800 BCE
Bronze
China
Raised conical features on the bell were used to help tune the bells after they were cast by filing off small pieces of the cones.
Identify the object’s: Title, Date, Material, and Location.
What does the lack of naturalism tell us about the culture of the Late Jomon Period? (slide 13)
Dogū Figurine
Earthenware with cord-marked and incised decoration
Late Jomon period
1000-400 BCE
Japan
The lack of naturalism doesn't make the object inferior, but demonstrates a preferred style.
This is a devotional figure, potentially a protective figure, but we don't know for certain. Not a naturalistic figure. Potter created repeated lines and circles across the surface.
Answer the following questions about this site:
(Slide 21)
Sanchi Stupa I (and gateway)
C. 250 BCE, renovated 50-25 BCE
Sanchi
Using a sign or symbol to indicate the presence of a figure
What is aniconism?
A complex term which can be used to refer to the teachings of Buddha, but was probably used by Emperor Asoka to refer to a broader sense of social ethics; often used to refer to moral duty and customary behavior.
What is Dharma/Dhamma?
Identify this object’s: Title, Dynasty and Date, Materials, and Location.
Give two explanations for how this object relates to Han beliefs about the afterlife. (slide 8)
Funerary Banner of Lady Dai
Western Han dynasty
ca. 180 BCE
Ink and colors on silk
Mawangdui Tomb, China
The funerary banner represents multiple worlds, including Lady Dai herself, her funeral (or an offering to her afterwards), hell, and heaven - marked with the sun and moon and serpents or dragons reaching upwards to the heavens. The soul was thought to have two parts, the hun and the po. The po stayed with the corpse, where one could give offerings. The hun traveled around and needed to find its way to heaven.
Identify the object’s: Title, Date, Material, and Location.
How did this object function in its original context? (slide 14)
High Ranking Officer
Ca. 210 BCE
earthenware
China
Function: Stood guard next to the tomb of first emperor of Qin. Took the place of real human sacrifice for the tomb. Life-sized; accompanied by weapons and horses. Figures are somewhat individualized, made from molded pieces made in bulk and assembled by artisans.
Answer the following the questions about this site: (slide 23)
Standing Buddha (destroyed, 2001)
Stone, stucco, paint
5th century CE
Bamiyan
Funerary vessels that depict some of the first Buddhist imagery found in China.
What are hunping?
Mathura and Ghandara
Where are the two capitals during the Kushan Dynasty?
Identify the Title, Dynasty, Date, Medium, and Location of this object.
How did Jing Ke entice the King of Qin to come closer so he could attempt to stab him with a poisoned dagger? (slide 9)
Jing Ke’s Assassination Attempt
Eastern Han dynasty
ca. 151 CE
Ink rubbing of a bas-relief in stone
Wu Family Shrines
Shandong, China
He enticed the king by bringing him the head of an enemy general (who secretly volunteered to die to fulfill the assassination plot). When the king came close to identify the head, Jing Ke pulled out the poisoned dagger, but was ultimately unsuccessful in killing the king.
Identify the object’s: Title(s), Date, Culture, and Material.
What factors make it difficult to identify this figure with accuracy? (slide 15)
Royal Priest or King
C. 2500 BCE
Indus Valley Civilization
Steatite
Because we do not know the religious beliefs of the Indus Valley Civilization people, we can't know the true identity of the figure for certain.
Answer the following questions about this site:
(Slide 25)
Bodhisattva
c. 462-500 CE
Ajanta Caves, Vihara