Prehistoric Art

Define: Sculpture in the round

Carved on all sides.

Define: Subtractive method of making sculpture

Material is removed to reveal form.

Define: Additive method of making sculpture

Material is added or built up to reveal form.

Define: Medium

The materials used to create a work of art, such as stone, metal, or clay.

Define: Relief sculpture

Carved on only one side. The image is connected to the background.

Define: Atlatl

Device used to increase distance and speed of a spear.

Define: Contour

An outline drawing.

Define: Silhouette

A form filled with pigment.

Define: Narrative

Images used to tell a story. 

Define: Henge

Megaliths in circular formation enclosed by ditch. 

Define: Post and Lintel construction

A simple building system where strong vertical elements support a horizontal element to span open spaces or support weights above.

Define: Megaliths

Massive rough cut stones, weighing 25-50 tons.

Define: Trilithon

Ancient megalithic structure made of two large vertical stones supporting a third horizontal stone across the top.

Define: Monolithic

One stone

Define: Cuneiform

The first sophisticated system writing — wedge shaped symbols.

Define: Polytheism

Belief in many gods.

Define: Monotheism

Belief in one god.

Define: Ziggurat

A monumental platform with building complex — religious, administrative, and economic center for the community.

Define: Pius posture

Hands at waist

Define: Generic figures

Human or animal representations that lack individualizing traits, facial features, or realistic proportions, focusing instead on symbolic, stylized, or conceptual forms.

Define: Standard

A rectangular box with slightly sloping sides

Define: Hierarchical scale

The largest figure is the most important.

Define: Register format

Horizontal line establishes the ground.

Define: Composite view of the human form

An artistic convention where a human figure is shown from multiple viewpoints at the same time. Profile (head, legs, and feet) and frontal (torso).

Define: Personification

Giving human attributes to something non-human.

Define: Hybrid

Creatures that combine features or body parts of more than one species.

Define: Lost wax method

A metal-casting technique used to create detailed sculptures and jewelry by replacing an original wax model with molten metal.

Define: Stele

Carved stone slab used as grave marker or commemorate events.

Define: Bent-axis design

Abrupt change in directional flow (a series of turns).

Define: Foreshortening

Pictorial device used to suggest the recession of space.

Define: Hittite fortification

Building with stone instead of mud brick.

Define: Stylized

Altered from natural appearance.

Define: Citadel

Fortified or walled complex — religious, economic, residential spaces.

Define: Glazed

Painted and baked.

Define: Arch

Opening with curved top.

Define: Battlements

Projections on the roof for archers.