Week 6

About the Pre Columbian Era

The Pre-Columbian era incorporates and is divided into three major time frames; The Pre-Classic period, which lasted from 1500 BC to 300 AD, the Classic period, which went from 300 to 900 AD, and the Post Classical period, 900 to 1492 AD, which was marked and noted for its many wars and increases in population and technological development. On October 12, 1492 Christopher Columbus made landfall in the Bahamas and set up colonies in the New World. This major event changed Latin America, due to the new European influences. Pre-Columbian is the catchword used often in describing the great indigenous civilizations of the Americas, for example - Mesoamerica (the Olmec, the Toltec, the Teotihuacano, the Zapotec, the Mixtec, the Aztec, and the Maya) and the Andes (Inca, Moche, Chibcha, Cañaris).

In this era, the Aztecs, the Mayans, and the Incas were the three main civilizations. Even though their geographic location was similar, they all had different cultures and thoughts. Some similarities may be found but the differences can also be spotted when the cultures are studied a bit closer. A result of the Europeans the Aztec, Mayan, and Inca Civilizations were wiped out. This is considered to be a great loss to humanity in that it destroyed many of the Ideas of these peoples could have made a great contribution to our present day cultures. Many pre-Columbian civilizations established societies which included permanent or urban settlements, agriculture, complex civic and monumental architecture and evolved social hierarchies.


Mayan Civilization (pre-columbian)
I choose the maya primarily because of their civilization's achievements. They are noted for the only known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas, as well as their beautiful art, architecture, as well as mathematical and astronomical advances. Mayan civilization, at its peak was one of the most densely populated and culturally dynamic societies in the world. It is interesting to note that advances such as writing, epigraphy (writing of inscriptions), and the calendar did not originate with the Maya; however, their civilization fully developed them.



The you tube video, Lost Temples: Mayan Pyramids of Chichen Itza, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyvw6G9Max0) produced by National Geographic looks a little further into Mayan culture by examining its temples, particularly famous one known as "el castle" or the castle in the city of Chichen Itza. It also looks at other buildings in the city and notes some interesting facts about the city. A short, but impressive glimpse into Mayan culture the depicts the advanced civilization of the Mayan people.


About the Mayan City of Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is a Mayan city in Mexico that dates back to the pre-Hispanic era. The name ‘Chichen Itza’ literally means ‘At the mouth of the well of the Itza’. It is situated in the eastern region of the state of Yucatan and serves as the pride of the country and is close to the gulf of Mexico. The archaeological zone is also one of the Seven Wonders of the World. With its buildings rooted in history, it serves as a very interesting place to study and explore pre columbian culture. Built in a variety of architectural styles, the city is a wonder in itself and is still a popular place to visit.


Facts about Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is a pre-Columbian archaeological zone that is situated in the eastern region of Yucatan State of Mexico.In the city of Chichen Itza there is a representational blend of a number of architectural styles, Mexican styles to the Puuc styles. About 2.5 mi west of the Chichen Itza archaeological zone are sacred caves known as Balankanche.In these caves, you can find a large selection of ancient pottery and idols that may be seen still in the place where they were left in pre-Columbian times.


About some of the structures in Chichen Itza

1. El Castillo (The Castle) , a structure in Chichen Itza, experiences an unusual phenomenon every year (see the video link). During the spring equinox, the sunrays falling in the pyramid create a shadow down its stairs, which looks like an image of a descending plumed serpent.

2. Juego de Pelota, another building in Chichen Itza, has the largest ball court in Mesoamerica. It measures 168 meters in length and 70 meters in width.

3. The Grupo de las Mil Columnas is an arcade in Chichen Itza. It comprises of a series of columns and is spread over an area of around 363 sq. feet.

4. The Observatorio (observatory) in Chichen Itza is called Caracol. This advanced structure (for its time) allows you to really appreciate and understand the scientific and astronomical achievements of the Mayans.

5. The Pyramid of Kulkulcan is another interesting structure in Chichen Itza, with its bottom and top of the stairways adorned with several large serpent heads.

6. Pelota Court is the main ball court in Chichen Itza and also the largest and best preserved ball courts in the world.

7. There exists a building nicknamed El Caracol (the snail) because of the stone spiral staircase inside. The structure with its unusual placement on the platform and its round shape (the other ones are rectangular, in keeping with Maya practice), is theorized to have been a type of observatory with doors and windows aligned to astronomical events, as it traverses the heavens.


Sources

http://www.upenn.edu/almanac/volumes/v55/n28/maya.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Seven_Wonders_of_the_World

http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/facts-about-chichen-itza-3052.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-Columbian

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_civilization

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_society


Review of Class Work from Week 5


Nancy - admitted she had a rather narrow perception of Latin American art, associating Latin American art with traditional folk art or modern “revolutionary” murals.


Theresa - It was interesting to learn about Jose Fors and the fact that he uses mixed media and rediscovered photographic in his art. Very creative and unique.


Stacy - The quote by the artist "Victimization has multiple facets and few taboos." - Victoria Riedel still holds true today.

Michele - The information about the Tequila Tasting Experience was really interesting. A unique approach for a museum.

Robert - found that a message that artist Guillermo wrote fit particularly well into the culture-blending experiences that I am having in this class. I also found that message interesting.

Julisa - was really attracted to Laura Hernandez’s work, specifically a sculpture called “Man Element Water 1997” Mexico.

Paul - found a live concert of Poncho Sanchez at MOLAA. (I missed that!)

Susan - liked the War-Giro (War Hero) 2005 sculpture by Cuban artist Carlos Luna.

Jamison - noted that Poncho Sanchez is the leader of the most popular Latin jazz group in the world today.

Shannon - did not like the MOLAA building but thought the art was fantastic!