Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE > PRE-COLUMBIAN AMERICA > Flashcards

PRE-COLUMBIAN AMERICA Flashcards

(47 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

It was the biggest city in Mesoamerica

A

Tenochtitlan (Old Mexico)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

3 most notable Pre-Columbian civilizations:

A
  • Aztec (Mexica)
  • Maya
  • Inca
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

A technique used by Incas in which blocks of stone are cut to fit together tightly without mortar.

A

ashlar

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

8 Characteristics of temple pyramids

A
  • located at center of cities
  • laid out with great skill
  • monumental
  • formal planning
  • flat roofs
  • no windows
  • square-headed doors
  • construction system was post and lintel (trabeated)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

The most important gods were those representing the __, __. __, & __.

A

sun, moon,
rain and corn.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

is an important 4-stage temple that forms part of the complex at Teotihuacan.

A

Pyramid of the Sun

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

was the capital of the Inca Empire and is known for its superb masonry construction.

A

Cuzco

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

oldest known civilization of the Americas

A

Caral, Peru

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Which American Historian brought Machu-Picchu to international attention in 1911?

A

Hiram Bingham

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

was one of the most important monuments of this ceremonial site. The sun is supposed to rise through this gate on the Winter Solstice.

A

Gate of the Sun, Tiahuanaco

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

was the center of the Aztec world

A

Tenochtitlan (Old Mexico)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

It was the largest city in the entire western hemisphere.

A

Teotihuacan

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, the mountain towering above it is Huayna Picchu

A

Machu-Picchu

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

was a fortress to protect Cuzco. It was a fortress built of yucay limestone beveled at the edges.

A

Sacsayhuaman

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

was built of adobe bricks with colorful
mud plaster murals.

A

Temple of the Sun, Moche

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Children were sacrificed in an ancient Inca practice known as ?

A

capacocha

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

is circular in plan with 4 stages surmounted by a small temple at the top.

A

Temple Pyramid, Cuicuilco

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

_________ architecture presented a sense of order and symmetry, and its design elements were portrayals of the power of its kingdom like eagles and serpents.

A

AZTECS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

was the most important religious center of the Zapotec culture. The palaces have geometric patterns on walls.

20
Q

was raised on a plain platform with a richly decorated upper building, one of the best examples of Puuc architecture.
It has corbelled arch and stone carvings of serpents, lattice work
and mask of the god Chac.

Study These Flashcards
A

Palace of the Governors, Uxmal

21
Q

4 important structures in Teotihuacan

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Pyramid of the Moon
  • Pyramid of the Sun
  • the Ciudadela (“Citadel”)
  • Temple of Quetzalcoatl (the Feathered Serpent)
22
Q

The levels are separated by deep friezes (tableros)

Study These Flashcards
A

Temple of Quetzalcoatl (The Feathered Serpent)

23
Q

The two regions in Pre-Columbian America were?

Study These Flashcards
A

Mesoamerica and Andes

24
Q

It is a decorative element at the top in the Maya architecture

25
Spanish conquerors called Tenochtitlan the ____ because it was a man-made island with an intricate network of canals.
Venice of the New World
26
the capital of the Chimu Empire had an area of 6 sq. miles.
Chanchan
27
An Inca sacrifice was given a steady diet of ____ and ____ for a year prior to death.
alcohol and coca (cocaine)
28
The term Mesoamerica (Middle America) describes a region that included what countries (7)?
Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
29
4 Functions of a Temple Pyramid
* sacrificial centers * centers of worship and religious festivities * as royal tombs * astronomical observatories
30
architecture features massive step pyramids with exteriors decorated with sculptures of glyphs, geometric shapes, and religious iconography like serpent masks
MAYA
31
The stones of Machu Picchu are therefore also known as
dancing stones
32
What is the base diameter of Temple Pyramid, Cuicuilco?
134 m
33
A concept where all things, whether animate or inanimate, were imbued with an unseen power like spirits inhabiting rocks, trees, and other objects
ANIMISM
34
a porous stone much favored by the Aztecs
TEZONTLE
35
The sacred city of the Incas.
Cuzco
36
The Toltecs and the Aztecs believed in ______ to keep the cosmos in balance.
BLOOD SACRIFICE
37
The Central Andean region includes what countries (5)?
Ecuador, Peru, western Bolivia, and northern and central Argentina and Chile.
38
The _______ employed stone facing panels carved with representations of jaguars, coyotes and eagles.
TOLTECS
39
was the last major civilization of Mesoamerica
Aztec (Mexica)
40
Woven designs and geometric patterns are characteristics of the ___________ culture.
MIXTEC-ZAPOTEC
41
is one of the most impressive and important structures at Chichen Itza. All square columns are carved in bas-relief with Toltec warriors. It has bas-reliefs of warriors, eagles and jaguars devouring human hearts.
Temple of the Warriors, Chichen Itza, Yucata
42
was the center of the universe according to Aztec beliefs.
Templo Mayor, Tenochtitlan
43
Is largest ball court in ancient Mesoamerica. It has bas-relief of Maya and Toltec players against a richly carved background of plants and serpents.
Great Ball Court, Chichen Itza, Yucatan
44
Who is the Palenque's most decorated leader?
Pakal the Great
45
Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor ____
Pachacuti
46
was used for ritual functions and the burial place of Pakal the Great
Temple of Inscriptions, Palenque
47
has the oldest known settlement in the New World
Sechin Bajo Complex, Peru

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions