Native Arts of the Americas before 1300

The Olmec Period: 1200-400 BCE The Olmec is referred to as the “mother culture” as many distinctive Mesoamerican religious, social, and artistic traditions can be traced to it. These giant sculpted heads, each weighing about 10 tons, have distinct features and decorative headgear and ear ornamentation. This suggests that they are portraits of rulers.

The Olmec also made cave paintings, ceramic figures, and carvings. Unique to the Olmec were carved jade forms known as celts. These axe-shaped carvings were buried under ceremonial courtyards and platforms, suggesting a connection with agricultural rites.

The city of Teotihuacan, northeast of Mexico City and long since abandoned, is an early organized metropolis. Its gridlike pattern recalls Hellenistic and Roman urban planning. The pyramids constructed there use talud/tablero construction. This technique later spread through Mesoamerica.

Classical Mayan Period: 300-900 CE The Mayans left behind a rich cultural record through their art and architecture, as well as a sophisticated written record. Mayan language is still spoken today and Mayan hieroglyphs are phonetic, allowing easy translation.

Mesoamerican Ball Game The Mesoamerican developed a native sport that intrigued the Spanish conquistadors. First found at various Olmec sites, these ball courts varied in size and the exact rules of the game are still unknown.

Post-Classical Mayan Period: 900-1521 The most famous Postclassical Maya site is Chichen Itza, a low limestone peninsula on the Yucatan. The Castillo is a 98 foot tall pyramid to Kukulcan, the Maya equivalent of Quetzacoatl. Its nine layer design is tied to the solar year. Its position catches light during equinoxes and it has a total of 365 stairs.

Found inside El Castillo were stone figures called chacmools Found inside El Castillo were stone figures called chacmools. These chacmools were reclining male figures depicting fallen warriors with receptacles on their chests to receive ritual offerings.

The ancient civilizations in Andean South America began developing in 3000 BCE. The Old Temple at Chavin de Huantar in Peru provides many early clues to early Andean art, culture, and worship. The Raimondi Stele (800-200 BCE) shows early examples of style and a figure called the “staff god” which would spread throughout South America.

Andean Weaving The Paracas culture (400 BCE-200 CE) has excellently preserved weavings in the form of funerary wraps. The weaving contains more than 150 vivid plant-derived colors. Abstract human and animal forms dominate these pieces.

The Nasca Lines The Nasca people (200 BCE-600 CE) are most known for their pottery and the Nasca lines. The Nasca lines are enormous abstract drawings of natural themes that can only be viewed aerially.

Eskimo people migrated to North America across the Bering Strait. This mask from 100 CE is made from walrus tusk and is composed of 9 pieces to form several human and animal faces. The object is both portable and shows immense creativity and imagination.

The Mississipian culture (800-1500 CE) were great mound builders The Mississipian culture (800-1500 CE) were great mound builders. Cahokia in southern Illinois was the largest city in North America in the early second millennium CE.

Southwest Native Americans Mimbres bowls flourished in New Mexico between 1000-1250 CE. They are all uniquely designed and feature abstract black on white decorations. The subjects range from geometric forms, animals, humans, and mythological beings.

The Ancestral Puebloans (200-1000 CE)were neighbors of the Mimbres The Ancestral Puebloans (200-1000 CE)were neighbors of the Mimbres. Their pueblos (urban settlements) displayed advanced building skills.