The Americas Vocab

Question 1

Chacmool

Answer 1

a type of Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican stone statue, depicting a human figure in a position of reclining with the head up and turned to one side, holding a tray over the stomach.

Question 2

Formline

Answer 2

the style of art in the Northwest Coast of North America, distinguished by the use of characteristic shapes referred to as ovoids, U forms and S forms.

Question 3

Kiva

Answer 3

subterranean rooms found among ruins in the American southwest, used for ritual or cultural purposes by the ancient peoples of the region.

Question 4

Longhouse

Answer 4

a type of long, proportionately narrow, single-room building made out of timber.

Question 5

Mesoamerica

Answer 5

region that extends from central Mexico into Central America

Question 6

Petroglyph

Answer 6

pecked or engraved rock art

Question 7

Pictograph

Answer 7

painted rock art

Question 8

Potlatch

Answer 8

ceremonial feast where possessions are given away or destroyed to show wealth or enhance prestige

Question 9

Pueblo

Answer 9

elaborate, multi-storied structures with many rooms for specialized purposes; towns

Question 10

Quillwork

Answer 10

textile embellishment that uses porcupine quills

Question 11

Talud-tablero

Answer 11

architectural style that consists of a platform structure on top of an inward sloping surface or pane

Question 12

Tepee

Answer 12

conical tent made of animal skins and wooden poles

Question 13

Totem pole

Answer 13

monumental sculptures carved from large trees