APAH - 1 - Global Prehistory

The basic form of the camelid sacrum in the shape of a canine from prehistoric Mexico was most likely determined by the

• natural shape of the animal bone into which it was carved

• sacred status given to canine animals in ancient Mesoamerica

• desired function of the object as a ceremonial headdress

• influence of imagery found in other examples of ancient Mesoamerican art

The work shown from Susa, Iran, includes patterns that can best be described as

• organic

• naturalistic

• elongated

• geometric

Why do scholars think this item was for rituals?

• it was buried in a cemetery

• it was found in a temple

• it was found in a well

• it was found in the swamps

The physical properties of the Ambum Stone have led scholars to propose which of the following theories about the work?

• It must have been transported via a long distance trade network, because the specific type of stone it was made from is not quarried locally.

• It must have held special value for its owners, because creating it would have been extremely time consuming.

• It must have been heavily used in its original context, because some areas of the work show significant wear from repeated grinding action.

• It most likely formed part of a larger sculptural program from a temple excavated nearby.

The running horned woman from Tassili n’Ajjer, Algeria, is presented using which of the following visual characteristics?

• The figure is placed on a clear ground line.

• The figure is represented in composite pose.

• The facial features are unique and individualized.

• The musculature is clearly defined.

The work was created using

• standardized molds for uniform appearance and size

• hand-shaped clay and a sharp instrument to incise details

• early forging and casting techniques

• found stones that seemed to suggest bodily forms

Neolithic art is what we describe as "stylized". What does stylized mean?

• an idealized form - the images look perfect and beautiful

• naturalistic - things are portrayed as they really are

• abstracted - a form that has moved away from natural forms and shapes

• primitivized - the artists lacked the capacity to draw things with talent

What is a megalith?

• the old stone age

• a giant stone

• a mortar and pestle

• ceramics

When an animal is turned on its side and portrayed two dimensionally, we call that technique

• perspective

• foreshortening

• contrapposto

• profile

What was the camelid canine made out of?

• a rock

• a sacrum bone

• wooden parts

• a human skull