C2C quiz 1 vocab

prehistoric

before history was written

relative dates

Dates expressed relative to one another (for instance, earlier, later, more recent) instead of in absolute terms.

Absolute dates

Specific dates and times given from radiometric dating.

Cuneiform

A form of writing developed by the Sumerians using a wedge shaped stylus and clay tablets.

Naturalism

a style and theory of representation based on the accurate depiction of details to how they are seen in nature.

Optical Images

Integrating the topography of the cave into the image

Composite Images

an image formed by combining different images or different views of the subject

narrative

The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.

Shamanism

belief in spirits/other realms of existence accessed by an altered state of consciousness

monochrome

having one color; a painting, design, photo, or outfit that is only one color or shades of one color

polychrome

many-colored

megalithic

mega=large, lithos=stone, aka monuments made using large stones

dolmen

a megalithic tomb with a large flat stone laid on upright ones, found chiefly in Britain and France

Trilithic

three stone construction

post and lintel

post = vertical pillars which support a lintel (horizontal)

menhir

upright megaliths that mark out horizontal space in distinct ways

Trilithon

a pair of monoliths (posts) topped with a lintel

(tri=three, lithos = stone)

Cromlechs

megaliths arranges in circles

pictogram

drawing used to represent a word

stylus

A pointed tool for writing or drawing or engraving used for cuneiform

ziggurat

Akkadian "ziqqurat", "to build on a raised area" - temple built on a solid base

high vs low temples

high temples (such as ziggurats) symbolized closeness to the sky and therefore divine and cosmic oder

low temples symbolized community integration and earthly access to gods

altar

a raised structure on which rituals are performed, or gifts/sacrifices to a god are made

Cella

the main room of a temple where the god is housed

Buttresses

a projecting support of stone or brick built against a wall

mud brick

a brick made from baked mud - most common building material in the ancient near east due to lack of resources

visual narratives

Stories told not only through the use of language but also through the sharing of signs, symbols, and images

registers

horizontal bands which separate distinct images

centrality

More important subjects are placed closer towards the center of a piece

hieratic scale

An artistic technique in which the importance of figures is indicated by size, so that the most important figure is depicted as the largest.

stele

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

Iconography

the visual images and symbols used in a work of art or the study or interpretation of these.