#AP Art History: Unit 5 - Indigenous Americas Study Guide 🌎

Hey there, future art historian! Let's dive into Unit 5, where we'll explore the incredible art of the Indigenous Americas. Get ready to see how diverse cultures shaped art before and after European contact. This guide is designed to make sure you're feeling confident and ready for anything the AP exam throws your way! Let's make this unit click!

#🧭 Contextualization: Setting the Stage

Remember, geography is key! We're covering a lot of ground here, so keep track of the regions and their corresponding cultures.

#🗺️ Ancient America

Definition: Art from Mexico, Central America, and South America made before 1550 CE (end of the Age of Discovery).
Subregions:
- Mesoamerica
- Central America
- Andean South America

#🏞️ Native North America

Definition: Art from the indigenous peoples of the United States and Canada.

#🤝 The Impact of European Contact

Conquistadors: Spanish conquerors who brought disease, enslavement, and European artistic traditions.
Syncretism: The fusion of indigenous and European cultures, resulting in unique artistic styles. This is a huge theme in both Unit 4 and Unit 5.
Key Concept

#🏛️ Overview of Indigenous American Art by Region

#⛰️ Chavín (Andes, Peru)

Memory Aid

Think U for the U-shaped plazas of Chavín, and A for Andes Mountains. Also, remember Z for Zoomorphic figures.

Location: Andes Mountains, Peru.
Architecture:
- Elevated sites with U-shaped plans.
- Plazas facing nature.
- Aligned with cardinal directions or rivers.
Sculpture:
- Combination of human and animal forms (zoomorphic).
- Left-right symmetry.

#🗿 Mayan (Mesoamerica)

Memory Aid

Mayan Pyramids and Roof combs. Also, remember N for Narrative Art.

Architecture:
- Pyramids and temples built near or on top of each other.
- Corbelled vaulting for roof support.
- Roof combs to accentuate verticality.
Sculpture:
- Protruding brow bones, full lips, and crossed eyes.

Quick Fact

Narrative art depicting gods, goddesses, and historical events.
- Relief sculptures.

#🏠 Anasazi (Southwest, USA)

Memory Aid

Think P for Pueblos and C for Cliffs. They are not in the Andes, but still high up!

Architecture:
- Pueblos (adobe homes) built into cliff sides.
- Plazas for gatherings and ceremonies.
- Farming and water collection on the plateau above.

#🏞️ Mississippian (Midwest, Southern, and Eastern USA)

Memory Aid

Think M for Mound Builders. They are not in Mississippi, but near the Mississippi River!

Culture:
- Mound-builders who created mounds for religious and ceremonial purposes.

#☀️ Aztec (Mesoamerica, Mexico)

Memory Aid

Think P for Polytheistic and S for Sacrifice. The Aztecs were very religious.

Religion:
- Polytheistic with a focus on mythological stories.
- Practiced blood-letting and human sacrifice.
- Example: Coyolxauhqui Stone depicts a human sacrifice.

Coyolxauhqui Stone

Coyolxauhqui Stone. Image Courtesy of: Art History Project

#⛰️ Incan (Andean South America)

Memory Aid

Think A for Ashlar Masonry and T for Trapezoidal. The Incans were skilled builders.

Architecture:
- Capital city, Cusco, built with ashlar masonry.
- Trapezoidal shapes in buildings.
- Pyramids and trapezoid-shaped buildings.

#🎨 Native North America

Memory Aid

Think B for Beads and P for Pigments. European influence changed the art.

Artistic Media:
- Varied by region (Arctic, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Plains, Eastern Woodlands).
- Introduction of European mediums like beads and brighter pigments.
- Art market driven by European settlers and tourists.
- Example: Black-on-Black Ceramic Vessel.

Black on Black Vessel

Black on Black Vessel. Image Courtesy of: Khan Academy

Exam Tip

Remember to analyze how European contact influenced indigenous art. Look for syncretism!

#📝 Summary of the Works

Art	Location	Form	Date
Chavín de Huántar	Chavín de Huántar District, Peru	Granite	900-200 BCE
Yaxchilán Lintel 25, Structure 23	Chiapas, Mexico	Limestone	725 CE
Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings	Montezuma County, Colorado	Sandstone	450-1300 CE
Great Serpent Mound	Adams County, Ohio	Earthwork	c. 1070 CE
Templo Mayor	Mexico City, Mexico	Stone	1375-1520
Ruler's Feather Headdress	Mexico	Feathers and gold	1428-1520
Maize Cobs	Cusco, Peru	Sheet metal and gold and silver alloys	c. 1400-1533
City of Cusco	Cusco, Peru	Sandstone	c. 1440
Machu Picchu	Cusco Region, Peru	Granite	1450-1540
All-T'oqapu Tunic	Peru	Camelid fiber and cotton	1450-1540
Bandolier Bag	Oklahoma, USA	Beads and leather	c. 1850
Transformation Mask	Alert Bay, Canada	Paint, wood, and string	late 19th century
Painted Elk Hide (Hide Painting of a Sun Dance)	Wind River Reservation, Wyoming	Elk hide and paint	c. 1890-1900
Black-on-Black Ceramic Vessel	San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico	Ceramic	mid 20th century

#🎯 Final Exam Focus

Key Themes: Syncretism, the impact of geography, religious and ceremonial practices, and the use of specific materials and techniques.
Connections: Be ready to compare and contrast works from different regions and time periods. Also, be ready to connect the indigenous art to the art of Unit 4. ### 📝 Common Question Types
Multiple Choice: Expect questions that test your knowledge of specific works, their cultural context, and their formal qualities.
Short Answer: Be prepared to analyze the function and significance of artworks, using specific examples.
Free Response: You might be asked to compare and contrast works from different cultures or analyze the impact of European contact on indigenous art.

Exam Tip

Time Management: Don't spend too much time on one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back later.
Common Pitfalls: Don't confuse different cultures or time periods. Pay attention to the details in the images and descriptions.
Strategies: Practice writing clear, concise answers. Use specific examples to support your claims.

#❓ Practice Questions

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

The use of corbelled vaulting is most characteristic of which of the following cultures? (A) Chavín (B) Mayan (C) Anasazi (D) Mississippian
Which of the following best describes the artistic practice of the Mississippian culture? (A) Cliff dwellings (B) Mound building (C) Featherwork (D) Relief sculpture
The Black-on-Black Ceramic Vessel demonstrates which of the following? (A) A purely traditional indigenous style (B) The fusion of indigenous and European artistic traditions (C) A complete rejection of European influence (D) The use of new technologies

#Free Response Question

Analyze the impact of cultural exchange on the artistic traditions of the Indigenous Americas. Use at least two specific examples from different regions to support your analysis. (10 points)

Scoring Breakdown:

Thesis (2 points): A clear and defensible thesis statement that addresses the impact of cultural exchange on indigenous art.
Example 1 (4 points):
- Identification of a specific work and its cultural context (1 point).
- Analysis of how cultural exchange influenced its form, function, or content (2 points).
- Specific evidence to support the analysis (1 point).
Example 2 (4 points):
- Identification of a second specific work and its cultural context (1 point).
- Analysis of how cultural exchange influenced its form, function, or content (2 points).
- Specific evidence to support the analysis (1 point).