Cross Cultural Connections Midterm

Olmec

People of rubber.

Rammed Earth

A building technique involving damp earth that is compressed, usually within a mold, to build a solid structure.

Relief

Raised forms that project from a flat background.

High Relief

Raised forms that project far from a flat background.

Low Relief

Bas-relief; Raised forms that only project slightly from a flat background.

Jade

A general term for green minerals including nephrite and jadeite.

Incised

Cut or engraved.

Celt

An ax head typically used ceremonially.

Tableau

A stationary scene of people or objects, arranged for artistic impact.

Sarcophagus

A container for human remains.

Terra Cotta

Baked clay or ceramic, also known as earthenware.

Slip

A layer of fine clay or glaze applied to ceramics before firing.

Lost-wax casting

A method of creating metal sculpture in which a clay mold surrounds a wax model, and is fired; wax melts away, and molten metal fills the space.

Radiocarbon dating

A scientific method of determining the age of an object, based on the presence of carbon-14 in organic material.

Scarification

Permanent marks created by incising or irritating the skin; used to enhance beauty or establish status.

Libation

Ritual pouring of a liquid, often alcohol, to a spirit or deity as an offering while prayers are said.

Sanctuary

A sacred space reserved for the worship of a deity(s); often enclosed by a wall and could include altars, temples, and other structures.

Megaron

Architectural form used in Mycenaean palatial complexes; it includes a porch and a main hall.

Peristyle

A line of columns enclosing a space.

Cella

The inner chamber of a temple; usually houses a cult statue.

Post-and-lintel

A form of construction where two upright posts support a horizontal beam (lintel).

Entasis

The bulging center of a column, constructed to correct the optical illusion that may make the shaft appear to curve inward.

Stylobate

The uppermost step leading into a temple, creating a platform for the columns.

Anta

Slightly projecting piers on either side of the entrance to a Greek or Roman temple that terminate the cella and porch wall.

In-antis'

Arranging columns so that the end piers project further than those in the middle.

Pronaos

The porch or vestibule at the front of a temple.

Adyton

A rear room behind the cella of a temple, used for rituals.

Kouros

A young nude male figure that may represent a dead warrior; resembles Egyptian styles.

Kore

A young female (maiden) sculpture, first shown clothed; not depicted as nude until the classical period.

Contrapposto

A posture of the human body that shifts most weight onto one leg, suggesting ease and a potential for movement.

Greek Vase Technique

Refers to either black figure or red figure techniques used in vase painting.

Rhythm

The repetition of form to create movement.

Chryselephantine

Made of gold and ivory; from the Greek words for 'gold' and 'elephant'.

Iconography

Images or symbols used to convey specific meanings in an artwork.

Volute

A decorative element in the form of a coiled scroll.

Karyatid

A stone statue of a young woman used like a column to support the entablature of a building.

Cyclopean Masonry

A stone building technique using large, roughly shaped boulders to create structurally sound walls.

Akroteria

Sculptures that adorn the roof of a temple.

Mana

Supernatural force or power expressed in art

Agriculture

…was the development at the end of the Stone Age that made it possible for humans to live in settled communites

Predatory Animals

At Lascaux, Altamira, and Chauvet caves, the primary subject matter was…

Imhotep

Who designed the Step. Pyramid of Djoser?

Female King of Egypt

What was special about Hatshepsut?

Tomb filled with artifacts

Why was Tutankhamun so famous?