Art of South America Art of the Aztecs, Mayans and Incas

Ancient Cultures Ancient cultures all created art work but their view of art was different from ours. Most artists created functional pieces of pottery and clothing. These were decorated with many different images. The more highly decorated the art, the more important or prominent the owner.

Similarities Ancient South American Art was created to decorate homes, palaces or temples. Much like the art of Europe. Their architecture was more crude and not as lavish as the Europeans but the South American cultures built highly decorated temples which were designed to be earthquake proof.

South American Architecture Temples and palaces used a pyramid design. Which adds strength because of the large base. They used interlocking stones to create strength. The buildings had four sides with one or more sides fitted with immense stairways.

Sculpture The sculpture of the South American cultures were ceremonial, with heads or full figures of gods carved in low or high relief. Often, human or animal forms became highly stylized.

Ceramics Ceramics were a significant product of all South American cultures. All the pottery was hand- built. Typically, pottery was made for use in rituals and burials.

Fabrics Fabrics of cotton, wool, feathers or strips of hide were produced. Weaving traditions date back to at least1500 BC The fabrics usually contained stylized figures of humans and animals. The artist also used many geometric patterns.