Art History 2800 exam4 terms

Cascajal Block

tablet-sized writing slab in Mexico, made of serpentinite, which has been dated to the early first millennium BCE, incised with hitherto unknown characters that may represent the earliest writing system in the New World.

were-jaguar

A composite human-jaguar; a common motif in Olmec art.

platform mounds

any earthwork or mound intended to support a structure or activity

Mayan Codex

The Maya used their writing system to record historical events, carving their glyphs in ste or recording them in a paper book, only 3 exist today

chacmool

a Mayan figure that is half-sitting and half-lying on his back

ball court

Mayan game that was a combination between basketball and soccer, in which the losing team was often killed following a loss.

Spanish Conquistadors

They believed that their religion required them to conquer or convert pagan nations. Since they had the only "true" religion, they were superior. They were stronger in weapons than the nations they conquered and believed that this gave them the right to conquer. The real goal was riches.

conical mounds

cone/oval shaped mounds built by Mound Builders; mainly used for burial

linear mounds

compound mounds

effigy mound

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

shell gorget

a Native American art form of polished, carved shell pendants worn around the neck.

Harappa Civilization

One of the earliest civilizations in India. Capital was the city of Harappa, which was laid out on planned grid pattern.

Mohenjo-Daro

Indus Valley city laid out in a grid pattern. Had a complex irrigation and sewer system.

Dholavira

City that flourished 4500 years ago within the Indus Valley. Sophisticated water system.

Vedic Period (c. 2000-322 BCE)

Maurya Period (322-185 BCE)

Hinduism

A religion and philosophy developed in ancient India, characterized by a belief in reincarnation and a supreme being who takes many forms

Buddhism

A religion based on the teachings of the Buddha.

Siddhartha, c. 500 BCE

The name of Budha before he reached enlightenment

yakshi

female and male figures of fertility in Buddhist and Hindu art

axis mundi

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

torana

gateway in the stone fence around a stupa, located at the cardinal points of the compass

Emperor Ashoka (ruled c. 273-32 BCE)

stupa

Buddhist shrine that is shaped like a dome or mound

Chaitya Hall

A prayer hall in ancient Indian rock-cut architecture, typically featuring a stupa at one end and used for congregational worship.

Mudra

A symbolic hand gesture used in Hindu and Buddhist rituals, often conveying specific meanings or intentions.

Bodhisattva

An enlightened being in Buddhism who delays their own nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment.

Siddhartha

The birth name of the founder of Buddhism, who attained enlightenment and became known as the Buddha.

Vishnu

A principal deity in Hinduism, known as the preserver and protector of the universe, often depicted in various avatars.

Yakshi

A female nature spirit in Indian mythology, often associated with fertility and abundance, frequently depicted in art.

Shiva

One of the principal deities in Hinduism, known as the destroyer and transformer within the Trimurti, representing the cycle of creation and destruction.

Animism

A belief system that attributes spiritual essence to animals, plants, and inanimate objects.

Taoism

A philosophical and religious tradition emphasizing living in harmony with the Tao, the fundamental nature of the universe.

Taotie

A motif commonly found in Chinese art, particularly in bronze vessels, characterized by a face with exaggerated features.

Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi

The first emperor of a unified China, known for his centralization of power and the construction of the Great Wall.

Pictographs

A symbol representing a physical object, used in early writing systems.

The Silk Road

An ancient trade route that connected China with the Mediterranean, facilitating cultural, commercial, and technological exchange.

Ideograms

A graphic symbol that represents an idea or concept, rather than a specific word or phrase.

Dunhuang

A city in China known for its historical significance as a Buddhist center and the location of the Mogao Caves.

Legalism

A strict philosophical belief in the importance of law and order, emphasizing harsh punishments and centralized control.

Bracketing

A method used in various contexts to separate or categorize information.

Confucianism

A philosophical system based on the teachings of Confucius, emphasizing morality, social relationships, and justice.

Pagoda

A tiered tower with multiple eaves, often found in East Asian architecture, associated with Buddhist temples.

Five Constant Relationships

A Confucian concept outlining the five key relationships that govern human interactions: ruler-subject, father-son, husband-wife, elder brother-younger brother, and friend-friend.