week 1 + 2 Flashcards
1
Q
Templo Mayor
A
Sacred center of the Aztec civilization.
2
Q
Tzompantli
A
Carved stone skull racks at Templo Mayor.
3
Q
Tlaloc
A
Rain deity worshipped in Mesoamerica.
4
Q
Huitzilopochtli
A
Patron god of the Aztecs.
5
Q
Coatlicue
A
Mother goddess associated with war.
6
Q
Coyolxauqui
A
Sister of Huitzilopochtli
7
Q
Coatepec
A
Mountain where Huitzilopochtli was born.
8
Q
Ixiptla
A
God-images representing deities in Aztec worship.
9
Q
Moctezuma II
A
Aztec ruler who emphasized the importance of gods.
10
Q
Human sacrifice
A
Ritual practice involving offering humans to deities.
11
Q
Spanish Conquest
A
Destruction of Indigenous religious structures by colonizers.
12
Q
Nahuatl
A
Language spoken by the Aztecs.
13
Q
Mexica
A
Name Aztecs used to refer to themselves.
14
Q
Tribute
A
Luxury goods collected as tax by rulers.
15
Q
Feather headdress
A
High-status ornament worn by Moctezuma II.
16
Q
Gold objects
A
Precious materials crafted into high-status items.
17
Q
Florentine Codex
A
Historical document detailing Aztec culture.
18
Q
Tenochtitlan
A
Capital of the Aztec Empire.
19
Q
Nuremberg Map
A
1524 map depicting Aztec capital Tenochtitlan.
20
Q
Aztec Empire
A
Dominant political power in pre-Columbian Mexico.
21
Q
Canal transportation
A
Primary means of movement in Tenochtitlan.
22
Q
Sacred bundles
A
Containers for concealing powerful god-images.
23
Q
Visual culture
A
Importance of images in Aztec and Catholic practices.
24
Q
Huitzilopochtli
A
Patron god of the Aztecs
25
Coatlicue
Mother goddess associated with war and fertility.
26
Coyolxauqui
Sister of Huitzilopochtli
27
Coatepec
Mythical mountain where Huitzilopochtli was born.
28
Moctezuma II
Aztec ruler known for his reverence of gods.
29
Human sacrifice
Ritual practice involving offerings of human lives.
30
Spanish Conquest
Destruction of Indigenous religious structures by colonists.
31
Mexica
Self-reference of the Aztec people.
32
Tribute
Luxury goods collected by rulers from subjects.
33
Feather headdress
Symbol of high status made from feathers.
34
Gold objects
High-status items crafted from precious metals.
35
Tenochtitlan
Aztec capital
36
Florentine Codex
Historical document detailing Aztec culture and history.
37
Nuremberg Map
Map depicting Aztec capital published in 1524.
38
Rituals
Ceremonial practices involving god-images and sacrifices.
39
Indigenous religion
Spiritual practices denounced as idolatry by colonists.
40
Visual culture
Importance of images in both Aztec and Catholicism.
41
Cultural endurance
Adaptation of Indigenous practices within Christianity.
42
Teotihuacan
Largest ancient city in the Americas (100 BCE-800 CE).
43
City of the Gods
Nickname for Teotihuacan
44
Population at height
Estimated 125
45
Ceremonial grandeur
Notable for monumental architecture and large-scale structures.
46
Apartment compounds
Collectivized residential structures from 250-550 CE.
47
Cultural interactions
Engaged with Maya capitals like Tikal and Copán.
48
Core monuments burned
City's core monuments burned around 550 CE.
49
Population decline
Dropped to 30
50
Legacy of Teotihuacan
Influenced Mesoamerica for at least a millennium.
51
Miccaotli
Ceremonial causeway measuring 1.5 miles long.
52
Sun Pyramid
One of the largest temple platforms in the hemisphere.
53
Moon Pyramid
Another major temple platform in Teotihuacan.
54
Feathered Serpent Pyramid
Known for elaborate sculptures and human sacrifices.
55
Celestial alignments
Buildings aligned with celestial bodies like the sun.
56
Master plan hypothesis
Some scholars suggest a planned layout for the city.
57
Gridded street system
Unique layout among Mesoamerican cities.
58
Ciudadela
Monumental structure opposite Great Compound on Miccaotli.
59
Access restrictions
Access to temples likely limited to elites.
60
Ritual activation
Ceremonial use of temple platforms by social elites.
61
Social hierarchy
Ceremonial spaces contributed to internal social ordering.
62
Mural painting
One of the complex arts developed in Teotihuacan.
63
Mold-pressed ceramics
Innovative pottery technique from Teotihuacan culture.
64
Stone sculpture
Art form significant to Teotihuacan's cultural legacy.
65
Human sacrifices
Burials in monumental structures varied by building.
66
Rich offerings
Precious objects like jade and obsidian found.
67
Great Compound
Possibly a centralized market for Teotihuacan.
68
Foreign goods
Critical for Teotihuacan's economy and trade.
69
Thin Orange wares
Stackable bowls for easy transport by traders.
70
Street of the Dead Complex
Potential elite administrative center in Teotihuacan.
71
Apartment compounds
Single-story residential units for city residents.
72
Population housed
Estimated 85% of Teotihuacan's population lived here.
73
Residence size
Typical apartment compound measured 200 x 200 feet.
74
Courtyards
Open-air spaces central to apartment compounds.
75
Housing stability
Unique durability compared to other Mesoamerican homes.
76
Patrilocality
Residence pattern in male spouse's home.
77
Craft specialization
Skilled craftspeople lived near their workplaces.
78
Excavated examples
Only about thirty apartment compounds partially excavated.
79
Artistic traditions
Distinctive arts across various media in Teotihuacan.
80
Hollow effigy figurines
Specialized ceramics
81
Figural stone sculptures
Geometricized representations valued by Teotihuacan artists.
82
Green stones
Symbolized water and agricultural fertility in art.
83
Masks
Isolated faces often found in sculptures.
84
Full standing figurines
Less common human representations in Teotihuacan.
85
Mural paintings
Decorated walls
86
Common subjects
Deities
87
Archaeological record
Evidence of animals and objects in excavations.
88
Abstract paintings
Some artworks featured highly abstract designs.
89
Teotihuacan
Ancient Mesoamerican city
90
Pyramid of the Sun
Largest pyramid at Teotihuacan
91
Pyramid of the Moon
Built in 7 phases
92
Great Goddess
Monumental sculpture
93
Teotihuacan mural painting
Flat
94
Apartment compounds
Housing for 12-60 people
95
Teotihuacan vs Maya painting
Teo style generic; Maya style realistic and individual.
96
Colossus of Coatlinchan
Unfinished sculpture
97
Urban planning
Evidence of organized city layout in Teotihuacan.
98
Classic Maya period
200-900 CE
99
Tikal
Largest urban center in southern Maya lowlands.
100
Fire is Born
Military figure who arrived in Tikal
101
Teotihuacan's legacy
Influenced later societies
102
Population of Teotihuacan
AD 150: 60
103
Valley of Mexico eruptions
Volcanic activity caused population shifts to Teotihuacan.
104
Craft production workshops
Specialized areas for artisans in Teotihuacan.
105
Ethnic enclaves
Neighborhoods for different cultural groups in Teotihuacan.
106
Maya hieroglyphic inscriptions
Elaborate writing system during Classic Maya period.
107
Collective symbols of identity
Teotihuacan rulers emphasized community over individualism.
108
Military campaigns
Evidence of organized military actions in Teotihuacan.
109
Mesoamerican monumental architecture
Large-scale structures
110
Sacrificial offerings
Deposited during construction phases of the Moon Pyramid.
111
Tepantitla mural
Depicts Great Goddess as a mountain of sustenance.
112
Fire is Born
A powerful figure linked to Tikal's rulership.
113
Spear-thrower Owl
Possible foreign ruler associated with Tikal.
114
Jaguar Paw
Next in line for Tikal's throne who dies.
115
Yax Nuun Ahiin
Also known as Curl Snout
116
Stela 31
Depicts Curl Snout's son
117
Teotihuacan
Potentially ruled by Spear-thrower Owl.
118
Diego de Landa
Colonial friar who studied Maya hieroglyphs.
119
Yuri Knorosov
Scholar who proposed syllabic nature of glyphs.
120
Tatiana Proskouriakoff
Scholar who expanded on Knorosov's glyph theories.
121
Linda Schele
Contributed to understanding of Maya glyphs.
122
David Stuart
Maya scholar who built on glyph decipherment.
123
Logograms
Glyphs representing words or morphemes in writing.
124
Phonetic qualifiers
Glyphs indicating pronunciation of other glyphs.
125
A Forest of Kings
Book synthesizing Maya political history from glyphs.
126
Hieroglyphic Stairway
Longest Maya hieroglyphic text
127
Yax K'uk Mo
Founder of Copan's dynastic sequence.
128
18 Rabbit
Patron of arts
129
Quirigua
City where 18 Rabbit was captured.
130
K'ak' Tiliw Chan Yopaat
Ruler of Quirigua who beheaded 18 Rabbit.
131
Lady Xooc
Performed bloodletting ritual before Lord Shield Jaguar.
132
Lintels
Difficult-to-read inscriptions in Maya architecture.
133
Political rhetoric
Used in Maya monuments for ceremonial purposes.
134
Moche
Refers to a culture in the Andes and coastal regions.
135
Huaca de la Luna
Significant Moche archaeological site.
136
Cerro Blanco
Another important site of the Moche civilization.
137
Archaeological site
Location of historical human activity and artifacts.
138
River valley
Low-lying area between hills
139
Culture
Shared beliefs
140
Political body
Organized group governing a specific territory.
141
Art style
Distinctive manner of artistic expression in a culture.
142
Moche diversity
Two distinct languages: Muchic and Quingan.
143
Population centers
Key locations of Moche civilization's political power.
144
Huacas
Adobe structures serving religious and ceremonial purposes.
145
Huaca del Sol
Major Moche pyramid
146
Adobe bricks
Building material made from clay and straw.
147
Makers' marks
Distinct patterns on bricks indicating their creators.
148
Lords of Sipán
Prominent Moche rulers with lavish burial practices.
149
Owl Priest
Burial associated with high-status Moche individuals.
150
Priestess potif
Symbol of women's high status in Moche society.
151
La Señora de Cao
Female ruler buried with militaristic artifacts.
152
Moche rulers
Prominent individuals
153
Ceramic effigy portraits
Ceramics depicting rulers in idealized forms.
154
Fresco style
Technique of mural painting on wet plaster.
155
Decapitator imagery
Common motif depicting human sacrifice in Moche art.
156
Fine line ceramics
Ceramics illustrating Moche stories and historical events.
157
The Sacrifice Ceremony
Ceramic depiction of ritual blood-letting events.
158
Lord of Sipán
Warrior Priest associated with Moche mythology.
159
Hallucinogenic cactus seed
Seeds used in rituals
160
Late Postclassic Period
Period from 1200-1521 CE in Mesoamerica.
161
Interregional interaction
Increased trade and communication between different regions.
162
Maya hieroglyphs
Writing system used by the Maya civilization.
163
Pictographic writing
Visual symbols representing words or concepts.
164
Maya group manuscripts
Prehispanic manuscripts from the Maya civilization.
165
Borgia group manuscripts
Central Mexican manuscripts with ritual significance.
166
Mixtec group manuscripts
Oaxacan manuscripts with unique pictographic styles.
167
Aztec pictographic manuscripts
Post-contact manuscripts
168
Accordion-style manuscripts
Books folded like an accordion
169
Astronomical almanacs
Manuscripts tracking celestial events and rituals.
170
Maya Codices
Four surviving books detailing astronomical observations.
171
Codex Grolier
Authentic manuscript dating to 1050-1150 CE.
172
Borgia Codices
Six surviving ritual almanacs from Puebla/Tlaxcala.
173
260-day ritual calendar
Calendar used for scheduling religious events.
174
365-day solar calendar
Calendar for agricultural cycles and longer periods.
175
Nemotemi days
Five dangerous days at the end of the solar calendar.
176
Counting years
Years recorded in 365-day cycles
177
Year bearers
Four symbols used to represent years in cycles.
178
Day signs
Twenty symbols used in the 260-day calendar.
179
Numerical coefficient
Numbers between 1 and 13 used in day naming.
180
Spanish colonization impact
Destruction of manuscripts viewed as idolatrous.
181
European manuscript collections
Surviving manuscripts housed in European museums.
182
Borgia Group Codices
Focus on 260-day ritual calendar implications.
183
Mixtec Codices
Eight historical books detailing Indigenous dynasties.
184
Boustrophedon Reading Order
Reading alternates direction like an ox plowing.
185
260-Day Ritual Calendar
Calendar for tracking significant life events.
186
Geographic Substantives
Terms like hill
187
Idiosyncratic Pictographic Element
Unique symbols accompanying names in Mixtec manuscripts.
188
Phoneticism
Tonal variations affect meaning in Mixtec language.
189
Tone Puns
Pictographic play on words using vowel intonation.
190
Personal Name
Unique pictographic element identifying individuals.
191
Colonial Period Manuscripts
Indigenous writing adapted during colonial rule.
192
Performative Element
Public performances of codex narratives for legitimacy.
193
Scribe Definition
Mixtec term for 'he who holds the song book'.
194
Florentine Codex
Native depiction of Spanish ships in Veracruz.
195
Nuremberg Map
1524 map of Tenochtitlan published in Germany.
196
Aztec
People of Aztlan
197
Moctezuma II
Ruler of the Aztec empire depicted in Codex Tovar.
198
Tribute
Tax paid in precious materials and luxury goods.
199
Codex Mendoza
Depicts tribute from Soconusco province.
200
Historical Narratives
Stories of rulers and creation in Mixtec codices.
201
Reading Order Guidelines
Red lines guide page reading in Mixtec codices.
202
Indigenous Calendar Continuation
Indigenous systems persisted into colonial times.
203
Tribute
Tax paid in precious materials or luxury goods.
204
Feather Headdress
Headdress of Moctezuma II
205
Serpent Effigy Labret
Gold lip plug
206
Codex Mendoza
Historical document detailing Aztec tribute and society.
207
Mosaic Double Serpent Pectoral
Decorative piece made of jade
208
Mosaic Mask
Ceremonial mask crafted from jade and turquoise.
209
Templo Mayor
Great temple of the Aztecs in Tenochtitlan.
210
Tzompantli
Skull racks used for displaying sacrificial victims.
211
Huitzilopochtli
Aztec patron god of war and sun.
212
Tlaloc
Rain deity worshipped in Mesoamerican cultures.
213
Coatlicue
Mother of Huitzilopochtli
214
Coyolxauqui
Sister of Huitzilopochtli
215
Human Sacrifice
Ritual offering to gods
216
Mesoamerican Cosmology
Belief in cyclicity and reciprocity in life.
217
Ixiptla
Manifestation of a deity's presence in Aztec culture.
218
God-Images
Sacred representations of deities
219
Colonial Iconoclasm
Destruction of Indigenous religious images by Spanish.
220
Hybrid Religious Visual Culture
Blending of Indigenous and European religious imagery.
221
Codex Durán
Document depicting Aztec sacrificial practices.
222
Florentine Codex
Comprehensive account of Aztec culture and rituals.
223
Quetzalcoatl
Feathered serpent deity
224
Obsidian Altar
Portable altar made from obsidian and gold leaf.
225
Mass of St Gregory
Feather mosaic artwork reflecting hybrid religious themes.
226
Nuremberg Map
Historical map depicting Tenochtitlan and its significance.
227
Sacrificial Stones
Used in rituals to honor gods through sacrifice.
