ARTH 105 Final Exam

Stonehenge

Period: Neolithic

• People were starting to settle; farming was essential 

• Post and lintel structure 

• Massive stones arranged in a circle 

• Used as a calendar; the people used this site to track the sun in order to know when the summer and winter solstices are

• Calendar was important for farming 

• The lever method was used to row the rocks

• Blue rocks from Wales, England and they were 3 tons each 

• The local rocks were 26 tons each 

The Pyramids of Giza

Period: Ancient Egyptian

• 3 pyramids made as burial sites for 3 of the pharaohs

• Pyramid of Khufu- largest, around 2 million blocks were used  

• Pyramid of Khafre- 2nd largest 

• Pyramid of Menkaure- smallest 

• the corners were kept open so an internal ramp could be used to move blocks up the ramp and build the pyramid higher and higher

• pyramids are smooth-sided with white finish (limestone)

• the top of the pyramid was covered with a gold and silver mix

• pyramids were easily robbed because they were filled with lots of treasure- treasure was believed to help prepare the pharaohs for the afterlife

The Palette of Narmer

Period: Ancient Egyptian 

• two-sided makeup palette 

• made of stone

• King Narmer is shown as the largest figure, which shows the use of hieratic scale

• He is shown wearing a helmet with crowns from both upper and lower Egypt

• Shows the reunification of Egypt under one King

• A raven/hawk is seen on the palette, which represents Horus

• It is interpreted that Narmer is protected by Horus

• Top of the Palette has cow-like figures which represent the goddesses of Upper Egypt 

• Bottom of the other side of the Palette has serpopards (serpent-leopards)

Khafre Enthroned

Period: Ancient Egyptian 

• Sculpture in the round

• The extra material isn’t carved away because the Egyptians are concerned with keeping these sculptures preserved for eternity 

• canon of Egyptian art- Pharaoh shows his power and divinity 

• this shows continuity 

• Feet are pointed straight forward, one fist is clenched, and the other hand is on his knee = position of authority/power

• Khafre has a straight/serious face and is depicted with a beard ——> very traditional