ARHI M1 PDF

1. Two Bison Size: Not specified; possibly small as they are part of cave sculptures. Material: Clay Location: Le Tuc d'Audoubert cave, France Ancient Tradition: Upper Paleolithic European Belief System: Possibly related to hunting rituals or shamanistic practices. 2....

1. Two Bison Size: Not specified; possibly small as they are part of cave sculptures. Material: Clay Location: Le Tuc d'Audoubert cave, France Ancient Tradition: Upper Paleolithic European Belief System: Possibly related to hunting rituals or shamanistic practices. 2. Woman of Wilendorf Size: Tiny (about 4.5 inches high) Material: Limestone Location: Originally found in Austria; currently in a museum Ancient Tradition: Paleolithic European Belief System: Fertility or mother goddess worship 3. Woman Holding a Bison Horn Size: Around 1.5 feet high Material: Limestone Location: Originally from Laussel, France; now in a museum Ancient Tradition: Upper Paleolithic Belief System: Possibly fertility or female empowerment 4. Human With Feline Head Size: Not specified; likely small Material: Mammoth ivory Location: Hohlenstein-Stadel, Germany Ancient Tradition: Paleolithic European Belief System: Shamanistic or totemic practices 5. Stonehenge Size: Monumental Material: Stone (various types including bluestone, sarsen) Location: Salisbury Plain, England  Ancient Tradition: Neolithic and Bronze Age European Belief System: Possibly astronomical observations, burial site, or religious ceremonies 6. Nasca Hummingbird Size: Large (part of the Nasca lines which are extensive) Material: Earth/ground (geoglyph) Location: Nasca, Peru Ancient Tradition: Nasca culture Belief System: Likely related to water, fertility, or gods in the landscape 7. Tomb of Emperor Nintoku & Haniwa figure Size: Monumental tomb, smaller haniwa figures Material: Earth mound for the tomb; terracotta for haniwa Location: Sakai, Japan Ancient Tradition: Kofun period, Japanese Belief System: Ancestral worship and protection for the afterlife 8. Newgrange Tomb Size: Monumental Material: Stone, earth Location: Boyne Valley, Ireland Ancient Tradition: Neolithic Irish Belief System: Burial, solstice alignment suggests astronomical or seasonal significance 9. Stepped Pyramid of King Djoser Size: Monumental Material: Limestone (dressed), core of mud brick Location: Saqqara, Egypt Ancient Tradition: Old Kingdom Egyptian Belief System: Pharaonic burial, protection in the afterlife 10. Great Pyramids of Giza Size: Monumental Material: Limestone, granite  Location: Giza, Egypt Ancient Tradition: Old Kingdom Egyptian Belief System: Tombs for Pharaohs, ensuring their immortality 11. Great Ziggurat, Ur Size: Monumental Material: Mud-brick (sun-dried and glazed) Location: Ur, present-day Iraq Ancient Tradition: Sumerian Belief System: Dedicated to the moon god Nanna, center of worship and administration. 12. Great Stupa, Sanchi Size: Monumental Material: Stone, brick Location: Sanchi, India Ancient Tradition: Buddhist Indian Belief System: Represents the universe in microcosm, used for circumambulation and meditation. 13. Persepolis Size: Monumental Material: Stone, particularly limestone Location: Persepolis, present-day Iran Ancient Tradition: Persian (Achaemenid Empire) Belief System: Ceremonial complex, reflects the empire's power and divine kingship. 14. Catal Huyuk Size: Large urban settlement Material: Mud-brick Location: Central Turkey Ancient Tradition: Neolithic Anatolian  Belief System: Early urban religious practices, possibly involving mother goddess worship. 15. Teotihuacan Size: Large city, monumental pyramids Material: Stone, stucco Location: Near modern Mexico City, Mexico Ancient Tradition: Teotihuacan culture Belief System: Religious and political center, possibly involving worship of the Feathered Serpent and other deities. 16. Pueblo Bonito Size: Large complex Material: Stone Location: Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, USA Ancient Tradition: Ancestral Puebloan Belief System: Center of Ancestral Puebloan society, possibly used for rituals and as a trade center. 17. Machu Picchu Size: Large complex Material: Stone Location: Cusco Region, Peru Ancient Tradition: Incan Belief System: Royal estate or religious retreat, significant astronomical alignments suggest ceremonial use. 18. Judgement of Hunefer Size: Small (papyrus scroll) Material: Painted papyrus Location: Originally from Egypt, often found in museums worldwide Ancient Tradition: New Kingdom Egyptian  Belief System: Illustrates beliefs in judgment after death, heart weighed against the feather of Maat, determining one's fate in the afterlife. Additional Information: The Judgement of Hunefer from the Book of the Dead depicts a pivotal moment in ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife. In this scene, Hunefer’s (scribe) heart is weighed against the feather of Maat, symbolizing truth and justice, under the supervision of gods Anubis and Thoth, with the creature Ammit ready to consume the heart if it fails the test. A successful judgment allows Hunefer to proceed before Osiris and enter the heavenly fields of Hetep and Iaru. Serving a dual purpose of religious function and cultural expression, emphasizing moral integrity and the soul's eternal journey (Life-Death-Afterlife). 19. Lamassu Size: Monumental Material: Limestone Location: Originally from Sargon II's palace at Dur Sharrukin, now in museums like the Louvre Ancient Tradition: Assyrian Belief System: Protective deity, guarding gateways to cities and palaces, symbolizing power and divine protection. Additional Information: Man Headed winged bull. Image of divinity, might, power, comtrol, strength. Wanted to depict 2 diff modes - still & moving. Head is image of strength. Same form of curly hair depicted throughout, conveys rigidness, structure & strictness. Corner figuring always guarding something. 20. Ishtar Gate Size: Monumental (part of the gate structure) Material: Glazed brick Location: Originally Babylon, Iraq, now in the Pergamon Museum, Berlin Ancient Tradition: Babylonian Belief System: Dedicated to the goddess Ishtar, symbolizing Babylonian might and religious devotion. Additional Information: The gate was originally part of the walls of Babylon, intended not just as a defensive structure but as a grand entrance to the city, richly decorated with images of dragons and bulls, symbols associated with the gods Marduk and Adad. The blue-glazed bricks used in the gate’s construction give it a striking appearance, which was symbolic of royalty and the divine. Extends physical barrier & extension to throne room. 21. Great Shrine of Ise Size: Large (complex of buildings) Material: Wood Location: Ise, Japan Ancient Tradition: Shinto Belief System: Dedicated to the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, symbolizes purity, and is rebuilt every 20 years to signify renewal and impermanence. Additional information: Stems back to shinto tradition (before buddhism) - power of nature. Modelled after grain facilities. Rebuilt every 20 yrs, but form never changes - no nails or glue, just precise fittings & dowels. Idea of growth & maturity - shrine is old but form is renewed continually equates to idea of transcendence (experience beyond normal/physical level), transformation, renewal. Connection to higher power. 22. Temple of Amun, Karnak Size: Monumental Material: Stone Location: Karnak, Egypt Ancient Tradition: Egyptian Belief System: Centre of worship for the Theban Triad, particularly the god Amun, represents the pinnacle of New Kingdom religious architecture. Additional information: Everything is aligned. Sacred site of temples, pharoas renovated & rebuilt many times. Open courtyards & built up halls, all walls & columns covered in hieroglyphics symbols & writing. Gates (two stone pillars) managing access. Only priests, officials & authoritative family allowed. Rooms get smaller as you go in - idea of compression - you going back in time & experience what past ppl did. Change in temp as you go in changes your behaviour & physical state - idea of transformation. 23. Hatshepsut with Offering Jars Size: Life-size - 5’6 high Material: Red granite Location: Originally from Deir el-Bahri, Egypt in the upper court of her mortuary temple; various museums Ancient Tradition: Egyptian  Belief System: Represents the pharaoh Hatshepsut in a traditional offering pose, emphasizing her role as an intermediary between gods and people. - piety to the gods by kneeling. Additional Information: The statue was intentionally destroyed by her successor, likely Thutmose III, and was later pieced back together. This act of vandalism highlights the contentious nature of her rule as a female pharaoh in a traditionally male role. Her depiction in red granite emphasizes her royal authority and divine connection. Referred to as his majesty. Wearing royal wear (headwearm chin strap, short skirt). 24. Seated Scribe Size: Slightly larger than life-size Material: Painted limestone Location: Saqqara, Egypt; now in the Louvre, Paris Ancient Tradition: Old Kingdom Egyptian Belief System: Reflects the social status and importance of scribes in ancient Egyptian society. Additional Information: The Seated Scribe is depicted as naked except for a short skirt, which highlights his status as a non-royal but important official due to his literacy skills. His realistic portrayal, including the depiction of physical details like body fat and a lifelike gaze, contrasts with the more stylized representations of royalty. Normal ppl not wealthy enough to commission this, probably commissioned by someone rich. Holding papyrus & writing stylus. Belly shown, probably didnt do manual labour. 25. Senenmut with Princess Nefrura Size: Below life-size Material: Granite Location: Thebes, Egypt; now in various museums Ancient Tradition: Egyptian Belief System: Represents Senenmut, tutor to Princess Nefrura, emphasizing personal relationships and educational roles in noble families. Additional Information: This block statue, which focuses on Senenmut's role rather than his physical form (he was a chancellor in court), emphasizes his bureaucratic and educational importance in the royal court. His identity is what hes done. The intimate portrayal of Princess Nefrura on his lap suggests his close relationship with the royal family and his significant role in her upbringing. 26. Akhenaten Size: Larger than life (colossal) Material: Sandstone Location: temple of Karnak, Egypt; now largely in museums Ancient Tradition: Amarna Period Egyptian  Belief System: Promotes the worship of Aten, the sun disk, marking a significant religious reform in Egyptian history. Additional Information: Akhenaten's statues often show radical changes from traditional Egyptian art, emphasizing his religious reforms toward the worship of Aten. His exaggerated features in art may symbolize his break from old gods and traditions, highlighting his unique approach to kingship and spirituality. Closed down temples & builds new city amarna (capital) where monotheism was becoming popular. Changed his name to include sun gods name Aten. Changed how pharoahs are depicted. Changed his pose from traditional pharoah pose of rigid frontal stance, solitary kingly depictions, symbols of power like crook and flail to a more curvy art style, more intimate setting w family & religious imagery for aten the sun disk (supreme deity) 27. Shield Jaguar and Lady Xoc Size: Medium (relief panel) Material: Limestone Location: Yaxchilan, Mexico; now in various museums Ancient Tradition: Maya Belief System: Depicts a bloodletting ritual performed by royalty, signifying communication with the ancestral and divine realms for legitimacy and divine favor. Additional information: This limestone relief depicts the Maya queen Lady Xoc performing a bloodletting ritual, observed by King Shield Jaguar, highlighting the royal obligation to maintain cosmic order through personal sacrifice. The scene symbolically portrays Lady Xoc drawing blood by piercing her tongue with a thorned rope to invoke spiritual visions, while Shield Jaguar illuminates the ritual with a torch, signifying enlightenment. This artwork serves both as a ceremonial record and a display of skilled Maya stone carving, linking ritual practices with astronomical events to emphasize their cultural and religious significance. 28. Head of an Akkadian Ruler Size: Life-size Material: Bronze Location: Nineveh, present-day Iraq; now in various museums Ancient Tradition: Akkadian Belief System: Symbolizes the divine king under Akkadian rule, reflecting the political ideology of centralized, god-like sovereignty. Additional Information: Originally a whole figure, this copper life-size head was intentionally vandalized, with its eyes removed and the head cut into pieces, signifying a rejection or conquest of the ruler's power. The head was part of a larger sculpture that symbolized complete control over society, displayed prominently with stylized yet naturalistic features. The horns on the head signify a divine or royal status, akin to the portrayal of other significant rulers in history. (displayed his identity). 29. Stele with the Law Code of Hammurabi  Size: Over 7 feet tall Material: Basalt Location: Susa, present-day Iran; now in the Louvre, Paris Ancient Tradition: Babylonian Belief System: Codifies laws under King Hammurabi with a depiction of divine authority granting Hammurabi the right to rule and legislate. Additional Information: This stele not only codifies over 300 laws (Covers marriage, infidelity, treatment of slaves, purchasing of goods, theft, penalties vary based on societal standing) written in quiniform script but also depicts Hammurabi receiving the laws from a god, symbolizing his divine authority to govern and judge. The depiction emphasizes the structured social order and Hammurabi's role as a mediator between the gods and his people, stressing justice and fairness in his rule. 30. Gudea of Lagash Size: Below life-size Material: Diorite & calcite - ​made of expensive hard stones not available where he was ruling Location: Girsu (modern Telloh), Iraq; now in various museums - statues were originally placed in temples (only constant in them), never in high palace. Ancient Tradition: Neo-Sumerian Belief System: Represents Gudea, ruler of Lagash, as a pious and humble leader, emphasizing his role in temple building and devotion to gods. Additional Information: Known for his piety and architectural contributions (re constructed & built new temples), Gudea’s statues often depict him in a pose of worship, holding water jars that symbolize life and prosperity brought by his rule (always same depiction). The hard stone and detailed craftsmanship of the statues reflect the high regard in which he was held and his efforts to align himself with divine forces and ensure the city’s prosperity. One shoulder always clothed one naked- similar to what priests would have worn- two important rivers depicted as being held by him- - equating oneself with the power of water- often times equated with the divine ability to bring life. As if he is saying that he brings prosperity and life to the region - allusions to physical strength and power in the musculature depictions in the statues. 31. Queen of the Night - spirituality Size: Small relief Material: Terracotta Location: Babylon, Iraq; now in the British Museum Ancient Tradition: Babylonian Belief System: Likely represents Ishtar or a similar goddess, associated with fertility, love, war, and sex, reflecting complex divine femininity.  Additional Information: The terracotta relief may represent a goddess associated with fertility and power. It's depicted with nudity and flanked by owls, symbols that enhance her mystique and authority. The figure's commanding presence is accentuated by the iconography, connecting her with cosmic and earthly power. 32. Death of the Buddha Size: Monumental sculpture Material: Granite Location: Gal Vihara, Sri Lanka Ancient Tradition: Sinhalese Buddhist Belief System: Depicts the Parinirvana of the Buddha, symbolizing the final nirvana after death and the end of physical existence's suffering. Additional Information: Loos like he is sleeping - symbolizing death is peaceful - acceptance of suffering. Disciples are mourning, showing his impact on his following. Shows that death is something that will happen and to not be scared of it. 33. Portrait Statue of the Priest Shunjobo Chogen Size: Below life-size Material: Painted cypress wood Location: Todaiji, Nara, Japan Ancient Tradition: Japanese Buddhist Belief System: Commemorates Shunjobo Chogen, who helped rebuild Todaiji; represents Buddhist ideals of piety and restoration. Additional Information: Portrays the priest in an aged state, using his prayer beads, which suggests a lifetime of wisdom and spiritual practice. 34. Standard of Ur [peace & war sides] Size: Small box-like object Material: Wood inlaid with lapis lazuli, shell, and red limestone Location: Royal Cemetery at Ur, present-day Iraq; now in the British Museum Ancient Tradition: Sumerian Belief System: Shows scenes of war and peace, reflecting social hierarchy, and possibly used for ceremonial purposes. 35. Terracotta Army  Size: Life-size figures Material: Terracotta Location: Xi'an, China Ancient Tradition: Chinese (Qin Dynasty) Belief System: Built to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife, reflecting beliefs in afterlife and the emperor's power. 36. Epidauros Theater Size: Monumental Material: Stone Location: Epidaurus, Greece Ancient Tradition: Classical Greek Belief System: Used for dramatic performances, linked to healing as part of the sanctuary of Asclepius, demonstrating the connection between culture, health, and spirituality. 37. Ti Watching a Hippo Hunt Size: Medium (wall relief) Material: Painted limestone Location: Saqqara, Egypt; in situ and various museums Ancient Tradition: Old Kingdom Egyptian Belief System: Represents Ti overseeing a hunt, symbolizing power, control over nature, and high social status. 38. Li Cheng: A Solitary Temple Amid Clearing Peaks Size: Scroll painting Material: Ink on silk Location: China; now likely in museums Ancient Tradition: Chinese (Song Dynasty) Belief System: Reflects Daoist and Confucian ideals of harmony with nature and scholarly retreat. 39. Ma Yuan: On a Mountain Path in Spring Size: Scroll painting Material: Ink and color on silk Location: China; now in various museums  Ancient Tradition: Chinese (Song Dynasty) Belief System: Depicts a scholar in a natural setting, emphasizing the Confucian and Daoist ideal of living in harmony with the natural world.