Sacred Spaces & Pilgrimage
Cultural Exchange & Trade Routes
Sacred Text & Calligraphy
Power & Patronage
Materials & Techniques
100
This cubic structure functions as the spiritual center of Islamic pilgrimage.
What is the Kaaba?
100
The columns and pediment reflect influence from this Mediterranean culture. 
What is Greek (Hellenistic) culture?
100
This art form dominates the page.
What is calligraphy?
100
Leaders who commissioned it were members of this religion.
What is Islam?
100
The Buddhas were carved directly into this material.
What is sandstone rock?
200
This shrine commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s Night Journey and asserts early Islamic authority in Jerusalem.
What is the Dome of the Rock?
200
The Bamiyan Buddhas demonstrate Buddhist influence along this trade network.
What is the Silk Road?
200
The absence of figural imagery reflects concerns about this theological issue.
What is idolatry / aniconism?
200
The Jowo Rinpoche represents this historical religious figure.
Who is the Buddha?
200
This architectural element indicates direction of prayer.
What is a mihrab or qibla iwan or qibla wall?
300
This mosque demonstrates the development of this four-part courtyard plan.
What is the four-iwan plan?
300
Although made in the Islamic world, the Basin (Baptistère de Saint Louis) was later used in France for this Christian ritual.
What is baptism?
300
The interior inscriptions of the Dome of the Rock assert Islam’s relationship to these earlier faith traditions.
What are Judaism and Christianity?
300
Likely functioned as a tomb for this ruling group.
Who were the Nabataeans?
300
The detail of the Ardabil Carpet was accomplished by significantly increasing the number of these.
What are knots?
400
This structure reflects Nabataean wealth gained through participation in a vast trade network.
What is the Temple or Great Treasury of Petra
400
Reflects the stylistic influence from this neighboring civilization.
What is China?
400
The woven inscription identifies this type of patronage.
What is royal or elite patronage?
400
Bahram Gur Fights the Karg connects rulers to this concept to legitimize Safavid authority.
What is heroic legitimacy / divine kingship?
400
This metalworking technique involves hammering metal from the reverse side.
What is repoussé?
500
The destruction of these sculptures demonstrates how sacred imagery can become central to debates about iconoclasm and religious ideology.
What are the Bamiyan Buddhas?
500
Persian painting traditions blended with outside influences from these cultures. There are three.
What are Mongolian, European, and Chinese influences?
500
Repeating geometric designs emphasize this theological concept.
What is the unity of God (tawhid) (mathematical perfection is divine)?
500
Intended to be seen in a holy shrine, this work functions as both devotional object and political statement.
What is the Ardibal carpet?
500
This painting medium allowed for intricate miniature detail. 
What is opaque watercolor on paper?