chapter 1 & 2 vocab ancient medieval art

Paleolithic

old stone age; 3.3 million years ago to 12,000 years ago, early humans developed the use of basic stone tools and man-made tools.

Neolithic

10,000 B.C.E to 2,000 B.C.E, developments in human life include the creation of settlements and the practice of farming.

megalith

a large stone that has been used to construct a prehistoric structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones.

corbeled vaulting

uses stones or bricks to create an arched ceiling or roof.

post and lintel

uses vertical posts to support horizontal lintels.

henge

circular or oval earthen enclosure, 3000 B.C.E and 2000 B.C.E

bent axis

an innovation from the Ubaid temples which had a linear axis approach, and is also a feature of Sumerian houses. An offering table was located in the centre of the temple at the intersection of the axes.

innana

an ancient Mesopotamian goddess who is often depicted in art as a young woman, sometimes naked, and sometimes wearing battle armor. She is often depicted with a lion, which symbolizes her strength and courage.

registers

a horizontal level in a work that consists of several levels arranged one above the other, especially where the levels are clearly separated by lines.

votive offering

a gift or object made to a deity or saint in a sacred space as a way to express gratitude or make a request. Votive offerings are also known as ex-votos.

hierachy of scale

an artistic technique that uses relative size to indicate the importance of a figure. It was used in ancient and medieval art to depict the social and religious significance of certain people.

ground line

a line representing the ground level on which figures appear to stand. Construction scene.

stylus

a pointed writing tool used in ancient and medieval times to mark on wax tablets, parchment, and other surfaces. The word "stylus" comes from the Latin word stilus, which means "a stake.”

cuneiform

a writing system that uses wedge-shaped characters carved into clay tablets. It's the earliest known writing system and was developed in ancient Sumer, which is in modern-day Iraq.

cylinder seal

a small, round, stone cylinder engraved with images or writing that was used in ancient times to make impressions on clay. They are considered a unique record of individuals and a major artistic achievement of ancient Mesopotamia

Lamassu

mythological, winged, human-headed bulls that were often carved into stone as guardian figures in ancient Mesopotamia. They were often placed outside the entrances of palaces and city gates.

Protome

a decorative art form that depicts the head and upper body of a human or animal.

Rhyton

a drinking vessel, typically shaped like an animal's horn or head, with a hole at the bottom used for pouring liquids, often in a ceremonial context like libations, and originating from ancient civilizations across Eurasia, particularly the Aegean region.

Repousse

an ancient metalworking technique that involves hammering a malleable metal from the reverse side to create a raised design.

Canonic Jars

made to contain the organs that were removed from the body in the process of mummification: the lungs, liver, intestines, and stomach.

Mastaba

rectangular tombs with flat roofs and sloping sides that were decorated with reliefs and paintings. The word "mastaba" comes from the Arabic word for "bench". 

Imhotep

the vizier to Djoser, the first king of the third dynasty. He was also a sage, astrologer, and architect.

Fluting

a decorative technique of creating shallow, vertical grooves on a surface. It's often used on columns, pilasters, and furniture.

Clerestory

a high wall with windows that lets light into the interior of a building. The word "clerestory" literally means "clear story”.

Sunken relief

a sculptural technique where figures are carved into a surface, creating a design that is lower than the surrounding area. It was a prominent feature of ancient Egyptian art and architecture.

Ka

statue was a sculpture that provided a resting place for the ka, or life force, of a deceased person. The ka was believed to be a person's vital essence and a key part of their identity.