Art in 2nd wave Mesoamerican Societies

Cultural, Religious, Artistic, Economic, and Social SpheresMaya and TeotihuacanIntroduction

Culture and ReligionReligionPriest kingsSite of Creation, Popul Vuh.Strong concept of dualismPolytheism and Paganism

Comparison To Eurasian Civilizations:Connection to Greek and Roman paganism.Connection to Chinese, Mesopotamian and Egyptian, strong bond between Religion and agriculture.Asian Religions

El Mirador pyramid temple, Popul VuhTraditionsCalendarincrease in competitiveness between city statesCulture of TeotihuacanSacrificial victimsRitual Ball gameCarvings and writings50 city states flourished, use of stone tools

Ball Game

Stone CarvingAstronomy and MathematicsDeveloped by Intellectuals and PriestsCombination of Mathematics and astronomyVigesimal systemImportant concepts

Numeral SystemLanguageDeveloped an Elaborate writing systemPictographic and syllabicHistory, Religion and Astronomy287 symbols

Mayan alphabetArt in 2nd wave Mesoamerican SocietiesMayan ArchitectureEl MiradorFriezeEngineered LandscapeTerracesFlattened ridgesDrained swampsWater management Agriculture

SculptureRoyal familyHead attireRitualsWarfare

10PaintingMuralsSophisticatedMaya BlueFolding booksDresden CodexShowed cultural items

Teotihuacn ArchitectureNorth / South boulevardStreet of the DeadTemples, houses of the elitePyramids of Sun and MoonSpecialist workers

ArtFew scenes of RulersMuralsGodsDecorative building

Interactive ActivityIdentify the scene depicted in the following 3 Mayan art piecesFind the religious significanceInteractive Activity

The Ball Game. Popular Sport played in the Maya Empire. Religious: losers were often sacrificed. Interactive Activity

Blood Letting. The Kings wife lacerated her throat with thorns, while the King holds a torch above her head.Identify the SceneInteractive Activity

The Presentation of the Captives. Prisoners of War were shown to the King, some of which were selected to be sacrificed.Social and Economic DistinctionsMayan Social HierarchyMayaUrban centersPatrilineal familiesGender roles dictated by religion and customElite women maintain rights Commoner Women: domestic duties, food, clothCompeting city states Mesopotamia, GreeceLabor supporting elite

TeotihuacanTrades and Ethnic Groups Residential apartment compoundsForeignersPeace

EconomyLack of fruitful interaction vs. Egypt and Mesopotamia, Persia and Greece Maya: Flourishing AgricultureLuxury goodsTeotihuacan:Pottery, obsidianConquer Maya territory for commodities (cacao beans, feather, herbs, etc.)Conclusion