Midterm Exam - Terms Flashcards
Agglutinative architecture
An architectureal design or scheme that has a predetermined set or grid-like pattern. Espcailly arises in the Neolithic period in the near east
cuneiform writing
Emerges in Sumeria. It is the first writing technology that develops through history. It takes it name from Cuneies or Latin for wedge-shape. The romans thought it looked like wedge shape characters.
Ziggurat
Sumerians developed Ziggurats whoich are raised platforms fro their temples. Inside of which was a room called a cella. Which housed a cult statue or votive statues.
Votive statues
Votive means a gift in gratitude to a diety. These votive statues were set in sumerian temples as watchers to await the arrival of a diety in these so called waiting rooms.
votive offering
A gift given in gratitude to a diety fo their support.
Presentation of offerings to Inanna. (Warks Vase) from Uruk (modern warka) Iraq ca.3200-3000 BCE. Alabaster, 3 feet and 1/4 in. high Iraq Museum.
Relief Stele
Like a grave. Marks an important event or burial and was used throughout the ancient world to remind one of victories won by leaders or to mark where someone was buried.
composite view
A combination of different viewing angels in art. It is to maximize legibility so that we know what people are doing with their hands and gestures.
Citadel
A fortified palace or city that is easily defensible with large walls encircling structures in the interior.
Necropolis
A city of the dead. “Necro” - dead “Opolis” - city-of. The Egyptians will build acropoli across from the city of the living that runs along the nile to the west.
Ka
Ones spirit residing in the heart remains with the body believed by Egyptians.
Mummification
Th process of removing moisture from the body to preserve it so it can be regenerated and be reborn in the next life.
Mastaba
Mummies of bodies were often buried in Mastaba tombs - most common tomb in ancient Egypt. Inside you would have an effigy of the deceased and a shaft that is sunk into the ground where the tomb or mummy would be located.
serdab
A room inside a mastaba or Ancient Egyptian tomb where ones relatives can visit the dead and communicate with them leaving them offerings, especially annually.
Corbelled arch
Inside the Pyramids that are in the true pyramid form there are corbelled arches whcih form massive interior galleries. Stairstep stones whcih press agasiint one anotehr and support without mortor.
Nemes Headress
A linen head wrap that resembles a cobra - hence the urauis cobra of Kingship, which shows the unification of upper and lower Egypt.
Fresco Secco
A medium where by one paints on dry lime plaster and is appropraite for tombs that are in the desert and kept away from sunlight. It is good for detail but does not stand up to the test of moisture and time.
Amarna Style
Angraginous style that was popularized by the Pharoh AKhenaton for his new monotheistic religion that worshiped th sun disk Atun.
