Art Exam Guide Notes

Pre-Columbian Andean Archaeology, Ecology, and Early Regional Cultures

• Guitarrero Cave:

  • Identified as the oldest archeological site in the Andes.

  • Represents a foundational pre-ceramic and lithic occupation in South American archaeological chronology.

  • Yielded the earliest known material evidence of textile production in the Americas.

• San Pedro Cactus:

  • A hallucinogenic flora native to the environs of Chavín de Huántar.

  • Consumed in ritual contexts by priests and shamans to induce altered states of consciousness, facilitate communion with the supernatural realm, and enable spiritual transformation.

• Caiman:

  • A species of small alligator native to tropical riverine lowlands.

  • A central zoomorphic motif prevalent in Chavín iconography, symbolizing apex predatory power, aquatic realms, and fertility.

• Huaca del Sol:

  • The largest adobe pyramid in South America, located in the Moche River valley.

  • Constructed by the Moche civilization as a monumental administrative, political, and ceremonial center.

• Sipán:

  • A prominent Moche archaeological site on the northern coast of Peru.

  • Renowned for rich, unlooted royal tombs containing elite funerary offerings, precious metal ornaments, and regalia.

• Warrior Priest:

  • A prevalent, recurring figure depicted in Moche iconography and ceramic art.

  • Associated with elite ritual combat, captive

• Warrior Priest: Prevalent, high-status figure in Moche art associated with sacrifice rituals.

  
  

2. Inca Empire & Spanish Conquest

• Quechua: The native language spoken by the Inca.

  
  

  
  

• Tawantinsuyo (Tawantinsuyu): “Land of the Four Quarters”—the native Quechua name for the Inca Empire.

  
  

  
  

  • Memory Tip: "Four corners = Tawantin-4".

    
    

    
    

• Lake Titicaca: The mythical geographical origin/birthplace of the Inca civilization.

  
  

  
  

• Viracocha: The supreme creator god in Inca mythology.

  
  

  
  

• Inti: The Inca sun deity (Inca rulers claimed direct descent from Inti).

  
  

  
  

• Huaca: A sacred place, object, or natural feature embodying ancestral spirit.

  
  

  
  

• Ceques: Radiating imaginary lines emanating from Cuzco connecting sacred huacas.

  
  

  
  

  • Memory Tip: "Ceques = Rays/Circuits" emanating from the imperial capital.

    
    

    
    

• Qorikancha (Coricancha): The “Golden Enclosure”—most sacred temple/huaca in Cuzco dedicated to Inti.

  
  

  
  

• Francisco Pizarro: Spanish conquistador who defeated and conquered the Inca Empire.

  
  

  
  

• Guaman Poma (Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala): Native Andean scholar who wrote and illustrated Chronicle of Good Government.

  
  

  
  

• Chronicle of Good Government: A massive letter/illustrated text sent to the King of Spain to detail Spanish abuse and advocate for native rights.

  
  

  
  

• Limaq: The Quechua root name for the region/city of Lima.

  
  

  
  

• Ciudad de los Reyes ("City of Kings"): The Spanish colonial title for Lima.

  
  

  
  

3. Mesoamerica: Maya & Aztec (Mexica)

• Mesoamerica: Cultural region extending from central Mexico through northern Central America.

  
  

  
  

• Maya Calendars:

  • Ritual Calendar (Tzolkin): 260 days.

    
    

    
    

  • Solar Calendar (Haab): 365 days (360 + 5 nameless "unlucky" days).

    
    

    
    

  • August 11, 3113 BCE: Start date of the Maya Long Count.

    
    

    
    

  • December 21, 2012: End date of the 13th Bak'tun cycle in the Maya Long Count.

    
    

    
    

• Maya Cosmos:

  • Underworld (Xibalba): 9 levels.

    
    

    
    

  • Heavens: 13 levels.

    
    

    
    

  • Memory Tip: 9 down (Underworld), 13 up (Heavens).

    
    

    
    

• Kukulkan: Maya feathered serpent deity (equivalent to Quetzalcoatl).

  
  

  
  

• Maya Architecture Styles:

  • Peten Style: Highland Maya, characteristically tall, steep pyramids (e.g., Tikal).

    
    

    
    

  • Puuc Style: Lowland Maya, intricate geometric stonework / facade mosaics (e.g., Uxmal).

    
    

    
    

• Corbel (Corbelled Vault): False arch technique used in Maya masonry where stones overlap inward.

  
  

  
  

• Aztlan: The ancestral, mythical homeland of the Aztecs ("Land of the White Heron").

  
  

  
  

• Mexica: The actual name used by the people commonly referred to as "Aztecs".

  
  

  
  

• 1375: Founding date of the Mexica/Aztec state.

  
  

  
  

• Hernán Cortés: Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire.

  
  

  
  

• Malintzin (La Malinche): Indigenous woman who served as interpreter, advisor, and consort to Cortés.

  
  

  
  

• 1519–1521: Key years of the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire.

  
  

  
  

• Tenochtitlan: Capital city of the Aztec Empire (built on Lake Texcoco, modern-day Mexico City).

  
  

  
  

• Huitzilopochtli: Aztec deity of war and sun ("Hummingbird on the Left").

  
  

  
  

  • Memory Tip: Huitzil = Hummingbird.

    
    

    
    

• Quetzalcoatl: Aztec deity of wisdom and wind ("Feathered Serpent").

  
  

  
  

• Tzompantli: Skull rack used to display human skulls of sacrificed captives.

  
  

  
  

Part 2: Artworks & Visual Analysis

Part 3: Top Exam Tips & Flashcard Strategy1. Grouping by Time & Culture

To easily answer multi-choice or identification questions, group your terms into 3 Main Pillars:

• Early Andes / Pre-Inca: Guitarrero Cave, Huaca Prieta, Chavín (Lanzón), Paracas (Mantle/Oculate), Nasca (Geoglyph), Moche (Sipán, Earspool, Huaca del Sol).

  
  

  
  

• Inca Empire: Tawantinsuyo, Quechua, Quipu, Tocapu, Sacsayhuamán, Qorikancha, Machu Picchu, Guaman Poma.

  
  

  
  

• Maya vs. Aztec:

  • Maya: Classic Maya, Palenque (Pacal), Tikal (Temple I), Yaxchilan (Lintel 24), Kukulkan, Peten vs. Puuc.

    
    

    
    

  • Aztec (Mexica): Tenochtitlan, Huitzilopochtli, Quetzalcoatl, Tzompantli, Cortés & Malintzin.

    
    

    
    

2. High-Yield Flashcard Questions

1. What function did the Lanzón serve? →→ Axis mundi linking underworld, earth, and sky; ritual center.

   
   

   
   

2. What is the difference between Quipu and Tocapu? →→ Quipu = Knotted cords for accounting/literacy; Tocapu= Woven geometric royal mantle/tunic.

   
   

   
   

3. What is shown on Lintel 24? →→ Lady Xoc of Yaxchilan undergoing royal bloodletting ritual.

   
   

   
   

4. What does the Sarcophagus Lid of Pacal depict? →→ Pacal at the moment of death, transitioning into the underworld/deity