indigenous americas ca5

Mesoamerica

A geographic region in the western hemisphere that was home of the Mayan and Aztec civilizations.

pre-columbian

belonging to the time before the arrival of Columbus in America

effigy mound

Earthen mounds in North America that were made in the shape of an animal or object

earthwork

an embankment or other construction made of earth

ashlar masonry

carefully cut and regularly shaped blocks of stone, fitted together without mortar

courses

in masonry construction, a horizontal row of stone blocks

roof comb

a wall rising from the center ridge of a building to give the appearance of greater height

repousse

a technique of hammering metal from the back to create a protruding image

axis mundi

believed to connect the heavens and the earth and regarded as the center of the world

stele

A carved stone slab used to mark graves or to commemorate historical events.

bas relief

a sculptural relief in which forms extend only slightly from the background

glyph

picture writing carved in stone

lattice

n. Openwork of metal or wood, formed by crossing or interlacing strips or bars.

lintel

A horizontal beam used to span an opening.

terracing

the creation of flat areas on mountain slopes for the purpose of farming

trade goods

items acquired via trade, such as beads, cotton, etc