Definitions (intro. & ch 1)

Question 1

Formal Analysis

Answer 1

Art historians exploring the visual character that artists bring to their works

Question 2

Composition

Answer 2

Discovering the overall arrangement, organization, or structure of an image

Question 3

Axis

Answer 3

The implied line found with an artwork, in which the elements of a picture are organized around it

Question 4

Iconography

Answer 4

Identifying the conventional meanings associated with forms and figures as bearers of narrative or symbolic content

Question 5

Still Life

Answer 5

Pictures of inanimate objects as well as fruits or flowers taken out of their natural contexts

Question 6

Dendrochronology

Answer 6

The dating of wood based on the patterns of the growth rings

Question 7

Sculpture In The Round

Answer 7

Self-contained, three-dimensional pieces

Question 8

Relief Sculpture

Answer 8

Carving away the surrounding material which forms a background that sets off the projecting figure

Question 9

Composite Pose

Answer 9

The combination of two or more viewpoints within a single representation

Question 10

Relative Dating

Answer 10

Reliance on the chronological relationships among objects in a single excavation or among several sites

Question 11

Absolute Dating

Answer 11

Attempting to determine a precise span of calendar years in which an artifact was created

Question 12

Radiometric Dating

Answer 12

Measuring the degree to which radioactive materials have disintegrated overtime
- The MOST ACCURATE method of absolute dating

Question 13

Potassium-Argon Dating

Answer 13

Measure the decay of a radioactive potassium isotope in a stable isotope of argon
- Most accurate with materials MORE THAN A MILLION years old

Question 14

Thermo-Luminescence Dating

Answer 14

Measures the eradication of the crystal structure of the material subjected to fire

Question 15

Electron Spin Resonance Techniques

Answer 15

Involves the use of a magnetic field and microwave irradiation to date a material

Question 16

Modeling

Answer 16

Shaping of a material

Question 17

Post-and-Lintel Construction

Answer 17

Two uprights (posts) support a horizontal element (lintels)
- One of the simplest methods for spanning space

Question 18

Corbeling

Answer 18

Rose or layers of stone are laid with the end of each row projecting beyond the row beneath, progressing until opposing layers almost meet and can then be capped with a stone that rests across the top of both layers

Question 19

Ridgepole

Answer 19

A long horizontal beam against which the slanting roof poles are braced

Question 20

Wattle and Daub

Answer 20

Branches woven in a basket like pattern and then covered with mud or clay

Question 21

Thatch

Answer 21

Plant material tied over a framework of poles

Question 22

Megalithic Architecture

Answer 22

From Greek, literally, “large (mega) stone (lithos)”

Question 23

Dolmen

Answer 23

The simplest type of megalithic tomb which was built on the post-and-lintel principle
- The tomb chamber was formed of huge upright stone supporting one or more table like rocks (capstones)

Question 24

Cairn

Answer 24

An artificial hill

Question 25

Passage Grave

Answer 25

One or more narrow stone lined passageways into a large room at the centre
- The path one takes to enter a dolmen

Question 26

Vault

Answer 26

An arched structure that spans an interior space

Question 27

Henge

Answer 27

A circle of stones or pose, often surrounded by a ditch with built up embankments

Question 28

Mortise-and-Tenon Joints

Answer 28

Joins made by a conical projection at the top of each upright that fits like a peg into a hole in the lintel

Question 29

Ceramics

Answer 29

Includes all baked-clay wares, a more inclusive term than pottery

Question 30

Pottery

Answer 30

Includes all baked-clay wares except porcelain

Question 31

Earthenware

Answer 31

Pottery fired at 800 degrees centigrade

Question 32

Kiln

Answer 32

Special ovens for firing pottery

Question 33

Stoneware

Answer 33

Pottery fired between 1200 degrees and 1400 degrees centigrade

Question 34

Alloy

Answer 34

A mixture
- often in reference to bronze being mixed between tin and copper