Final Exam Essay's Flashcards
Queen Mother, Benin, Nigeria, Early 16th c, bronze, lifesize
Represents sophistication & dignity. Features royal coral bead necklaces. This was the king’s wife who gave birth to the crown prince. Has incisions above eyes and was commissioned upon her death.
Temple I, Tikal Guatemala, 8th c, Mayan
Tallest of mountain-temples. C. 750-900. Tikal enjoyed a renaissance under ruler Hasaw Chan K’awil. This temple-tomb is known today as the symbol of the Maya. An eroded image at the top of the temple represents Hasaw as the king of the heavens.
Aztec Calender Stone, 1502-20, 11’10”
This is a diagram of creation and a symbol of Mexico as well as a symbol for the sun. A date-glyph represents the year 1427, which is when Izcoatl came to power. 1427 is also the birthdate of the present sun, which the Aztecs say was created at Teotihuacan.
Great Serpent Mound, Adams County, OH, Hopewell of Fort Ancient Culture, Woodland Period, c. 1070
Serpent Mound embodies Ohio’s very long history. Thousands of years ago, Native Ohioans created mounds and massive earthworks. Harvard University archeologist Frederic Ward Putnam excavated the Serpent Mound in the late 19th century. A 1991 site excavation found pieces of charcoal within the Serpent Mound to be about 900 years old.
Mortuary Poles and Totems, Pacific Northwest 1888
All of the totem poles display animals and other signs belonging to the family erecting them. Oval doors in the poles were called Holes in the Sky. Poles were carved with crests and representations of animals. These totems were built from cedar trunks. Originally, these totems/poles were painted to help visitors identify which homes were their friends and which were their enemies.
