Indigenous Americas, 1000 bce– 1980 ce

Indigenous Americas (1000 BCE - 1980 CE)

Overview

This section presents a comprehensive exploration of the art, culture, and traditions of Indigenous peoples of the Americas prior to European colonization, highlighting the rich history and diversity of these societies.

Migration to the Americas

Theories of Arrival:

  • The first humans are believed to have arrived in the Americas via a land bridge known as Beringia, which connected Eastern Siberia to Alaska. This migration event is supported by findings from archeology and genetic studies.

  • The existence of Beringia is estimated to have lasted for approximately 5,000 years, allowing various groups to traverse the region.

Indigenous Americas Art

Nature of Art:

  • Indigenous art encompasses the myriad of artistic expressions and cultural practices that existed before European influence.

  • It includes some of the oldest artistic traditions globally that were influenced by Asian artistic practices.

Ancient American Art

Timeframe:

  • The art discussed in this section pertains to creations made before 1550 CE, primarily in regions south of the current United States-Mexico border.

Cultural Areas:

  1. Mesoamerica

    • Cultures:

      • Olmec, Maya, and Mexica (Aztec).

    • Geographical Locations:

      • Extends through modern-day Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

    • Significant Sites:

      • Tenochtitlan (the Aztec capital), La Venta (notable Olmec site), and various other culturally rich sites throughout the region.

  2. Central America

    • Characteristics:

      • Home to diverse cultures shaped by varying geographic and climatic factors fostering unique art forms and social structures.

  3. Andean South America

    • Civilizations:

      • Chavín civilization (1200-500 BCE) located in the northern highlands.

      • The Inka civilization (1438-1534 CE) which dramatically shaped culture over the entire Central Andes region. Numerous other cultures produced art in the region during this timeframe, contributing to a rich tapestry of Andean artistic heritage.

Native North America

Definition:

  • This term encompasses the various traditionally oriented cultures that existed north of the U.S.-Mexico border from ancient times up to the modern era.

  • Notably, the emphasis is placed on art and cultural practices from 1492 to the present day.

Regional Subunits:

  • Northwest Coast, Southwest, Plains, Eastern Woodlands.

Chavín Culture

Chavín de Huántar:

  • The principal archaeological site representing the Chavín culture (900-200 BCE).

  • Renowned for its sophisticated stone architectural complex and intricately designed granite sculptures.

  • The Chavín people developed advanced drainage systems to manage flooding in the highlands effectively, a testimony to their engineering skills.

Lanzón Stela:

  • A 15-foot tall granite stela depicting an anthropomorphic figure that is associated with the jaguar cult, symbolizing the power and characteristics attributed to this majestic creature.

The Raimondi Stela:

  • This stela held significant religious importance within the Chavín culture, illustrating their spiritual beliefs.

Architectural Innovations:

  • The Chavín showed advanced knowledge in acoustics, metallurgy, and construction techniques, which enabled them to develop large precious-metal objects linked to their religious practices.

Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) Culture

Mesa Verde:

  • Home to over 600 cliff dwellings constructed between 450-1300 CE, these structures served various functions, including residential, ceremonial, and storage.

  • Notable structures include Balcony House, Cliff Palace, Long House, Spruce Tree House, and Step House.

  • The inhabitants practiced sedentary agriculture, primarily cultivating beans, squash, and corn.

Great Serpent Mound

  • Location: Adams County, Ohio.

  • Description: A monumental earthwork measuring 1,300 feet in length that aligns with solstices; it may have been used for marking seasons or astronomical events, reflecting the cosmological understanding of its creators.

Templo Mayor (Main Temple)

  • Location: Tenochtitlan (modern Mexico City), a vital site for the Mexica (Aztec).

  • Materials used:

    • Constructed using stone, volcanic rock, jadeite, and basalt, demonstrating the technological capabilities of the civilization.

  • Deities associated:

    • The temple was primarily dedicated to Tlaloc (the deity of rain and agriculture) and Huitzilopochtli (associated with the sun and war), illustrating the duality of agricultural and martial importance in their culture.

Calendar Stone

  • Not only one of the most famous ancient Mexican sculptures, but it was buried and later rediscovered in the 18th century, providing a wealth of information about Aztec cosmology and calendar systems.

Aztec Featherwork

  • Ruler's Feather Headdress:

    • Crafted from quetzal and cotinga feathers, it served as a symbol of status and divine connection among the elite, demonstrating the artistry of the Mexica civilization.

Inca Architecture

  • City of Cusco:

    • This city includes Qorikancha (the most sacred site) and Sacsayhuaman (ceremonial fortress), remarkable for their architectural grandeur.

  • Ashlar Masonry:

    • This construction technique utilizes finely cut stone, presenting smooth, square edges which are critical for the stability and aesthetic quality of Inca structures.

Maize Cobs:

  • Representing the agricultural abundance, these were crafted from precious metals and symbolized the vital ecosystems and agricultural practices that were central to the Inca economy.

Machu Picchu:

  • A royal estate featuring housing, religious shrines, terraces, and observatories designed for tracking celestial events, highlighting the astronomical sophistication of the Inca civilization.

Textiles in Inca Culture

  • Textiles served as identity markers that encoded social status and were integral to rituals and funerary practices, demonstrating the importance of materials in expressing cultural values.

Bandolier Bag (Lenape):

  • Initially conceived as decorative pieces, these bags evolved into symbols of status, reflecting European military influences in their design and usage.

Transformation Mask (Kwakwaka’wakw):

  • These masks held immense cultural importance and were used during potlatches to signify social status, duality, and the connection individuals had with ancestors and supernatural entities.

Painted Elk Hide by Cotsiogo:

  • This artwork utilized natural pigments and trade materials, conveying narratives of history and cultural identity through the medium of animal skin paintings.