Amanda Lane
Chun
Library Research
April 2, 2014
IB Extended Essay: Symbol effects on Mesoamerican Art and Architecture
There has been evidence of over two hundred human sacrifices in just one general area of Mesoamerica. Not just in an area of a city – but a “building”. Many pyramids, temples, and art forms such as sculptures were made and used just for the purpose of sacrifices and blood-letting rituals. Such violent rituals are shown in art and architecture to show the effect of symbols on the humans of Ancient Mesoamerica. The question that will be uncovered is, how far did the Mesoamericans go? To what extend do symbols effect Mesoamerican art and architecture? These effects could of course lead to the stronger subjects, specifically human sacrifices. The extent of symbols on the architecture and art therefore is reflected as the extent it had on ancient Mesoamericans. It will first be evaluated how Architecture is made to reflect their beliefs on the lives of their gods. Second, how architecture and art can depict symbols will be revealed, and lastly it will be discussed how architecture and art shows the effect of symbols on ancient human lives and interactions. Finding these things will answer the research question by revealing how much effort believers would make to please their symbols, how Mesoamericans believe their gods to be, and how far they would go with tradition or rituals.
Architecture, like many things, can also be made for the use of or inspired by the symbols people believe in. Therefore, art and architecture in Ancient Mesoamerica can be stated to be made for the use of religious symbols. Making architecture and art forms takes effort, dedication, and patience. Architecture can take years to make, as was s...
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...d in the way it was.(Exploratorium.edu) Both the stairs representing the number of years on the calendar and the way the pyramid was built axis-wise, The pyramid of Kukulkán can be argued to be a pyramid built out of belief in symbols. As with the pyramid of Kukulkán, many Mayan temples were shown to reflect the belief of nine levels of the underworld.
The Temple of Inscriptions was a temple of nine layers, the skeleton of Hanab Pakal and five sacrifices lying at its base. The Mayan belief in the underworld and its gods was depicted much through the tomb of the ruler. “The nine gods of the underworld were depicted with stucco relief on the walls of Hanab Pakal’s tomb”.(Foster 204) This corresponds to the believed layers of the underworld – also nine. The temple, like others, was built in nine layers, therefore reflecting the layers of the underworld.(Stokstad 402)
Umberger, Emily. “Veláquez and Naturalism II: Interpreting “Las Meninas.”” Anthropology and Aesthetics 28 (1995): 94-117. The President and Fellows of Harvard College acting through the Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology. Web. 23 Nov. 2013.
A major element of Aztec life was religion, as often is in the case in ancient civilizations. The Aztecs were a polytheistic people, and they often made use of human sacrifice to please their gods. Diaz often makes reference to the blood-stained walls of the Aztec temples in his account of the conquest. In reference to the success of Cortes and his soldiers, an anci...
The ancient Mayans were a very well developed society with a very accurate calendar, skilled architects, artisans, extensive traders and hunters. They are known to have developed medicine and astronomy as well. All of this was developed while the Europeans were still in the Dark Ages.
Constructed during Egypt's 4th Dynasty, The Pyramids of Giza are truly an astonishing work of architecture. These pyramids display several of the characteristics, that are now known, to be attributed to the Ancient Egyptian era. Years of research show that much of the ancient Egyptian's focus in their artistry, was that of a religious nature, regardless of medium. Artists of the time, focused their efforts on depicting the various Gods and Goddesses, immortality and the afterlife, and the glorification of the pharaohs. (MindEdge) One of the best examples of this are the pyramids. Each pyramid was built to be the final resting place of a pharaoh (Khufu, Khafre, or Menkaure) upon his death, and subsequent mummification. They were built on the
For example, the Olmec jadeite mask is representative of the Olmec religion, as this differed greatly compared to the Aztecs. The Olmec’s had more statues to represent their religion compared to the Aztecs with a basis of murals which is more present in the Aztec era, as Teotihuacan was incorporated into the Aztecs practises of their own religion. In particular, with the Olmec jadeite mask, it represents the change of beliefs in a matter of centuries, when being compared to the Aztec religion, changing the central belief system of the civilians in Teotihuacan. The comparison between Teotihuacan and the religions that are based within the architectural design of Teotihuacan are crucial in extending our understanding of Teotihuacan through Science mainly, in the research of chronology, we have learnt to be able to distinguish different architectural features with the city of Teotihuacan. This has been important in identifying different features within the city and being able to use different types of archaeology to identify when something in the time period was made. For example, the use of
The E-Group complex emulation is evident in the Maya lowlands. “This architectural formation was invented by the Gulf Coast Olmec and spread to the East.” (Houston and Inomata 84) The layout of the Maya E-Group complex is characterized by its particular arrangement of plazas and platforms, comparable to a site in the Gulf Coast called Chiapas. The presence of the Olmec jade pieces and imitation of the E-Group architectural layout at the same site has comprehensive implications. “The presence of a cruciform cache with greenstone celts in the E-Group plaza suggests that architectural forms did not simply result from casual imitation, but, rather, accompanied ritual practices, and, possibly, religious ideas comparable to those of Chiapas and the Gulf Coast.” (Houston and Inomata 84) Due to the fact that the jade was present in a particular part of the new E-Group layout, it is likely that they embraced Olmec style religious rituals as well as mirroring their architecture. The specific arrangement of the cache strongly suggests shared religious practices, which huge implications for Maya
It was quite an experience to dive into the cultures of ancient southern and central american societies such as the Maya, Aztec and Inca civilizations. As i traveled through this large exhibit I couldn't help but notice how seriously these civilizations took craftsmanship. I believe it was fully because many of these small items that were featured on display such as ceremonial, stools, masks, vases etc...were extremely detailed and well made. Not to mention that the majority of the sacred/ritual objects were forged of gold and jade; two extremely vital elements to the function of their societies. They believed elements such as these were the waste of the gods but, to them they were perceived as gifts due to their rarity and visual aesthetics. Gold was specifically exclaimed to be from the sun god named Kinich
By studying the cave under the Pyramid of the Sun, Heyden demonstrates how the construction of the cave may have been built and how that cave became the start of Mesoamerica civilization (Heyden. 1975; p. 131). Throughout the reading, “An Interpretation of the Cave Underneath the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, Mexico”, the author uses mostly anecdotal and as well as empirical evidence to suggest that the cave was a cult center before the Pyramid of the Sun was built. One line of evidence that the cave was a cult center is the construction of the cave. The construction of the cave is described as having long tunnel entrances followed by a series of chambers. Chambers were positioned as described in the reading “the cloverleaf” which consisted of four chambers and different sections of the chambers were closed off. The series of walls suggested that there may have been decorations or paintings put up on those
However, many signs have pointed to it not being the Mayan religion who believes that these skulls had religious powers, but the Aztecs! It has been suggested by many historians, such as Louis Chevalier that the Mayans did not have as fine equipment as the Aztecs, throughout the period in which these skulls were thought to have been invented. Also, the Aztecs were more highly skilled in sculpting with crystals. As many of you will already know, the Aztecs sacrificed many people in their times. One particular skull, the Paris skull, (have a picture of this comes up) has a hole through the top of its head. This may have a connection with the Aztecs believing in sacrificing people to their gods, and treasuring or keeping the more important sacrifices, by keeping their head, and turning it into a beautifully sculptured crystal. So, the Aztecs obviously believed that the skulls held religious beliefs, such as important sacrifices, as they had carved and kept their skulls
Did you know, that there were civilizations in the Mesoamerican region before it was discovered by the Spanish explorers in 1519? There were 3 main civilizations in the region from the times 750 B.C.E. - 1535 C.E.. The Inca (1440 - 1535 C.E.), The Aztec (1345 - 1520 C.E.), and The Maya (750 B.C.E. - 900 C.E.) It is insane to think of the fact that they were able to build temples, pyramids, and other large buildings with no iron tools. In this essay you will learn about how the 3 civilization are similar, different, and how they all had something special about them.
Speak of the pyramids, each society has its own culture. Building great pyramids and temples, both civilizations built them for special uses and for special people. However, the two civilizations used these buildings for different uses. The ancient Egyptians built pyramids as tombs for the pharaohs and queens since they deeply believed in the belief of afterlife. The Mayan pyramids were used for holding sacrificial rituals. Chronologically speaking, the Egyptian pyramids were built 2000 years earlier than the Mayan
...ortant calendar of the Mayas. El Castillo has four sides, each side has 91 steps, this is equal to the 365 days of the solar year. It has nine terraces which are divined in two, which makes 18, this symbolizes the number of months in the Maya Calendar.
The reason that they decided to make the pyramid in the center of Yucatan is because of science and math. Sounds pretty bizarre, crazy and mind blowing but you will see the outcome and what I am talking about when I describe all of this. This ancient temple pyramid has three hundred and sixty five steps, basically one step each day of the year. Every year but only twice throughout one year on autumn (September 22) and spring (March 20) equinoxes, the light of the sun when setting makes a shadow of the “serpent” which is a snake, is on the bottom of the pyramid by the steps and the shadow figure of the serpent will slither down the steps. The snakes there represent the God Kukulcan who was the “snake god”. During these two days of the year that is when people like to go visit the pyramid just to go see the snakes and actually wanting to believe that it is real and that it isn’t a myth. Legend say that El Castillo is a representation of the mayan calendar which instead of 12 months, for them it is 18 months. With the placement of the pyramid is the platform in which is dedicated to Venus the
Art has been a key attribute in religious worship that has overstepped ages. The art of the Ancient near East demonstrates a clear artwork of the ancient times of notable arts and architecture that played an important part in religious worship. These artworks and architecture can be arranged into significant eras like Persian, Assyrian, and Neo-Babylonian with complex and meaningful standards. More importantly, in dismembering the significance of these pieces, it is wise to review their motive, iconography and ethnic context. In my essay the two (2) arts and architecture that were used in religious worship from Chapter 2: Art of the Ancient Near East that I will discuss are the ANU Ziggurat and White Temple and the Stele of Hummaurabi.
It is believed that the shape of the pyramid was an important religious statement. Some scholars believe that this is true while others still debate the possibilities. We can assume that the Egyptians were trying to symbolize the slanting rays of the sun. It is also believed that the sloping sides on the pyramid were intended to help the soul of the king climb to the sky and join the gods.