PRE-COLUMBIAN AMERICA Flashcards
It was the biggest city in Mesoamerica
Tenochtitlan (Old Mexico)
3 most notable Pre-Columbian civilizations:
- Aztec (Mexica)
- Maya
- Inca
A technique used by Incas in which blocks of stone are cut to fit together tightly without mortar.
ashlar
8 Characteristics of temple pyramids
- located at center of cities
- laid out with great skill
- monumental
- formal planning
- flat roofs
- no windows
- square-headed doors
- construction system was post and lintel (trabeated)
The most important gods were those representing the __, __. __, & __.
sun, moon,
rain and corn.
is an important 4-stage temple that forms part of the complex at Teotihuacan.
Pyramid of the Sun
was the capital of the Inca Empire and is known for its superb masonry construction.
Cuzco
oldest known civilization of the Americas
Caral, Peru
Which American Historian brought Machu-Picchu to international attention in 1911?
Hiram Bingham
was one of the most important monuments of this ceremonial site. The sun is supposed to rise through this gate on the Winter Solstice.
Gate of the Sun, Tiahuanaco
was the center of the Aztec world
Tenochtitlan (Old Mexico)
It was the largest city in the entire western hemisphere.
Teotihuacan
It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, the mountain towering above it is Huayna Picchu
Machu-Picchu
was a fortress to protect Cuzco. It was a fortress built of yucay limestone beveled at the edges.
Sacsayhuaman
was built of adobe bricks with colorful
mud plaster murals.
Temple of the Sun, Moche
Children were sacrificed in an ancient Inca practice known as ?
capacocha
is circular in plan with 4 stages surmounted by a small temple at the top.
Temple Pyramid, Cuicuilco
_________ architecture presented a sense of order and symmetry, and its design elements were portrayals of the power of its kingdom like eagles and serpents.
AZTECS
was the most important religious center of the Zapotec culture. The palaces have geometric patterns on walls.
Mitla
was raised on a plain platform with a richly decorated upper building, one of the best examples of Puuc architecture.
It has corbelled arch and stone carvings of serpents, lattice work
and mask of the god Chac.
Palace of the Governors, Uxmal
4 important structures in Teotihuacan
- Pyramid of the Moon
- Pyramid of the Sun
- the Ciudadela (“Citadel”)
- Temple of Quetzalcoatl (the Feathered Serpent)
The levels are separated by deep friezes (tableros)
Temple of Quetzalcoatl (The Feathered Serpent)
The two regions in Pre-Columbian America were?
Mesoamerica and Andes
It is a decorative element at the top in the Maya architecture
roof comb
Spanish conquerors called Tenochtitlan the ____ because it was a man-made island with an intricate network of canals.
Venice of the New World
the capital of the Chimu Empire had an area of 6 sq.
miles.
Chanchan
An Inca sacrifice was given a steady diet of ____ and ____ for a year prior to death.
alcohol and coca
(cocaine)
The term Mesoamerica (Middle America) describes a region that
included what countries (7)?
Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras,
Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
4 Functions of a Temple Pyramid
- sacrificial centers
- centers of worship and religious festivities
- as royal tombs
- astronomical observatories
architecture features massive step pyramids with exteriors decorated with sculptures of glyphs, geometric shapes, and religious iconography like serpent masks
MAYA
The stones of
Machu Picchu are therefore also known as
dancing stones
What is the base diameter of Temple Pyramid, Cuicuilco?
134 m
A concept where all things, whether animate or inanimate, were imbued with an unseen power like spirits inhabiting rocks, trees, and other objects
ANIMISM
a porous stone much favored by the Aztecs
TEZONTLE
The sacred city
of the Incas.
Cuzco
The Toltecs and the Aztecs believed in ______ to keep the cosmos in balance.
BLOOD SACRIFICE
The Central Andean region includes what countries (5)?
Ecuador, Peru, western Bolivia, and northern and central Argentina and Chile.
The _______ employed stone facing panels carved with representations of jaguars, coyotes and eagles.
TOLTECS
was the last major civilization of
Mesoamerica
Aztec (Mexica)
Woven designs and geometric patterns are characteristics of the ___________ culture.
MIXTEC-ZAPOTEC
is one of the most impressive and important structures at Chichen Itza.
All square columns are carved in bas-relief with Toltec warriors. It has bas-reliefs of warriors, eagles and jaguars devouring human
hearts.
Temple of the Warriors, Chichen Itza, Yucata
was the center of the universe according to Aztec beliefs.
Templo Mayor, Tenochtitlan
Is largest ball court in ancient Mesoamerica. It has bas-relief of Maya and Toltec players against a richly carved background of plants and serpents.
Great Ball Court, Chichen Itza, Yucatan
Who is the Palenque’s most decorated leader?
Pakal the Great
Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor ____
Pachacuti
was used for ritual functions and the burial place of Pakal the Great
Temple of Inscriptions, Palenque
has the oldest
known settlement in the New World
Sechin Bajo Complex, Peru
