Art 130

Short Answer Questions Exam #1 Chapters 1-4

 

Chapter 1: Introduction

 

1.     Describe the dates and migration routes of the ancient people of Meso and South American (general theories)

 

2.     Why are the terms pre and post contact used?

 

3.     Define the terms non-western, tribal, 1st world, 2nd world, 3rd world and 4th world.

 

4.     What negative connotations are associated with the use of the terms in the previous question?

 

5.     What is airport/tourist art and why are these artifacts not considered true art forms by historians?

 

6.     Describe some of the metaphors associated with Meso and South American groups.

 

7.     What current countries made up the Ancient Mesoamerica?

 

8.     What groups of people made up ancient Mesoamerica?

 

9.     Briefly describe the social class system of Mesoamerican societies.

 

10.  Why was the calendar system so important to Mesoamerican cultures?

 

11.  Which series of text is important for Art Historians when studying Mesoamerican cultures?

 

12.  Describe the three different styles of early pottery production.

 

13.  Describe the process used to shape and paint pottery.

 

14.  Define repousse.

 

15.  What type of subject matter was found on gold repousse disks and how does this subject matter enhance their purpose?

 

CHAPTER 2: THE OLMECS

 

16.  What does Olmec mean and why is it a misnomer?

 

17.  When did the Olmec civilization begin and where did they reside?

 

18.  What are the names of the large ceremonial sites associated with the Olmec civilization?

 

19.  What were some of the contributions to Mesoamerican societies that originated within the Olmec civilization?

 

20.  Name a few of the Olmec deities, their appearance and purpose.

 

21.  What is a Kunz Axe and what purpose does it serve?

 

22.  What is a were-jaguar and why are they significant beings?

 

23.  Describe the Olmec style as seen in the Kunz Axe.

 

24.  What could the cleft in the head of many Olmec objects indicate?

 

25.  Describe the significance of the design of the channel systems in Olmec societies in relation to the Rain God.

 

26.  Why was jade an important material for ceremonial Olmec art?

 

27.  Define pars pro toto.

 

28.  Describe the symbolism seen in the Olmec dragon.

 

29.  What was the purpose of the Olmec wooden sculptures and who do they represent?

 

30.  How were the wooden sculptures used and stored?

 

31.  Compare and contrast the appearance of the wood sculptures and the Kunz Axe and dragon.

 

32.  Describe some of the distinct features of the San Lorenzo site.

 

33.  What was the purpose was Monument 52 in relation to the were-jaguar deity?

 

34.  Describe the symbolism on Monument 52 and its significance.

 

35.  What is believed to be the purpose of the large scale Olmec heads and how did their placement in the city enhance their purpose?

 

36.  Describe the symbolism incorporated into the design of Olmec heads.

 

37.  What role did the King play in Olmec society?

 

38.  What are some of the theories as to who is represented in the Wrestler sculpture.

 

39.  Why is the Wrestler sculpture believed to be a fake?

 

40.  What is the story of the Olmec ÒHero TwinsÓ and why are they significant to Olmec and Mayan societies?

 

41.  Define the term in situ?

 

42.  Describe the layout of the La Venta Olmec complex.

 

43.  What are some of the theories as to the African connections to Olmec heads.

 

44.  How do the colossal heads at San Lorenzo differ from those at La Venta?

 

45.  Describe the formal elements of the Serpentine blocks at La Venta.

 

46.  What theories have historians brought forth as to why the blocks were buried?

 

47.  How is the kingÕs power represented in Altar 4?

 

48.  Describe the Olmec symbolism on Altar 4.

 

49.  Compare and contrast Altar 4 and Altar 5, how does the meaning change as a result of these changes? (see PowerPoint for Altar 5 image)

 

50.  What ÒfirstÓ is noted in Stela 3?

 

51.  What is a stela/stele?

 

52.  Why is Stela 3 sometimes referred to as ÒUncle SamÓ stela?

 

53.  What is being documented in Offering 4 and why would activity be important as a burial offering?

 

54.  What symbolic meaning is associated with the Jaguar?

 

55.  How were the small-scale were jaguar sculptures used in Olmec society?

 

56.  Compare the design and purpose of the Olmec Rain Deity image to the Kunz Ax, what is distinctly Olmec but what makes it different?

 

57.  What role did hunchbacks play in Olmec society and why were they so important?

 

58.  What artistic evidence demonstrates the expansion of the Olmec empire.

 

59.  What types of objects were found at Tlatilco?

 

60.  Why were many early Mesoamerican paintings able to survive over a long period of time?

 

61.  Analyze the formal elements of the Oxtotitlan mural and connect these elements to the materials used and stone sculptures produced by the Olmec.

 

62.  What objects were included in an Olmec kingÕs burial plot?

 

CHAPTER 3: THE LATE FORMATIVE

 

63.  Describe the stages of decline of the Olmec civilization and when the decline took place?

 

64.  What Mesoamerican elements have their origins in Olmec culture?

 

65.  What is corn masa and why is it a unique form of maize?

 

66.  Why was it necessary to develop a calendar system in the late formative period?

 

67.  What types of calendars developed during this time period and which was the most important in Mesoamerica?

 

68.  What theories are used to explain the significance of the 260-day calendar?

 

69.  How were children named?

 

70.  Describe how the calendar round works.

 

71.  What is meant by Ò5 nameless daysÓ and what must take place during this time period?

 

72.  What is the long count?

 

73.  Why is the calendar system important to art historians and archaeologists?

 

74.  Why is Mount Alban a significant site?

 

75.  What are Danzantes?

 

76.  Describe the formal elements and symbolic meaning of the Danzantes and how they were placed at Mr. Alban.

 

77.  What is believed to be the general purpose of Mound J and why?

 

78.  What is an effigy?

 

79.  What types of objects were found in Mt. Alban tombs (at least 3) and what purpose did they serve?

 

80.  Who is Murcielago and how is he represented?

 

81.  What symbolic meaning is associated with bats?

 

82.  What types of objects were found in the tombs at Oazaca and what purpose did they serve?

 

83.  Why is West Mexico considered to be a separate development from the rest of Mesoamerica?

 

84.  What geographical regions make up West Mexico?

 

85.  Compare and contrast the types of clay works produced in the W. Mexico region.

 

86.   What links are made between W. Mexican and Andean civilizations?

 

87.  What is the significance of the visual representation of KÕin (sun)?

 

88.  Why is Peten an important site and what types of symbols developed there?

 

89.  Describe the Nayarit style of sculpture.

 

90.  Describe the early form of the Mesoamerican ball game.

 

91.  What is the story of the Mayan Hero Twins and how are they represented in the Peten Stela 1 from Nakbe.

 

92.  Describe the content of the north wall frescos of San Bartolo and how the formal elements enhance the content.

 

93.  Describe the appearance and significance of the Mayan Maize god.

 

94.  Who is Chahk and how does he appear in art?

 

95.  Who is represented in the Kaminaliuyu Stela II and what elements of other Maya works of the same time period are connected to this object?

 

96.  What do dots and beads represent in Mayan art?

 

97.  What natural disasters led to the rise of Teotihuac‡n?

 

CHAPTER 4: TEOTIHUACAN

 

98.  What is the Aztec definition of the name Teotihuac‡n?

 

99.  Who were the two main deities of Teotihuac‡n and what did they represent?

 

100.        What early modifications were made to the site that was to become the location of the Pyramid of the Sun to line up to astronomical bodies?

 

101.        When did the civilization reach its peak?

 

102.        Define talud-tablero.

 

103.        What is altepetl?

 

104.        Define Miccaotli.

 

105.        Describe the layout of Teotihuac‡n with emphasis on its different aspects and placement of significant structures and their purpose.

 

106.        What is unique about the Temple of the feathered serpent?

 

107.        Compare and contrast the formal elements of the Teotihuac‡n Great Goddess (fig 62) and Olmec styles.

 

108.        What was significant about the design and placement of the Great Goddess?

 

109.        Describe the characteristics of Tlaloc sculpture that represent the deity.

 

110.        Who does the greenstone mask represent?

 

111.        How were the Teotihuacan masks displayed?

 

112.        How were the Teotihuac‡n jade masks displayed and who could they represent?

 

113.        Why was the Xalla figure destroyed?

 

114.        What symbolic meaning is associated with the owl?

 

115.        Who used the Teotihuacan urn?

 

116.        Describe the objects/beings in the Tepantitla image that reinforce to role of the fertility figure and how this meaning is enhanced by the formal elements.

 

117.        What is an olla and why is Tlaloc often shown holding this object?

 

118.        What led to the fall of Teotihuac‡n?