Mesoamerica

Unit V

Grade 5: Unit V- Mesoamerica

Library of Congress ResourceUsed:

Unknown. (A.D. 550-950). Mayan Ball Game. Library of Congress: Exhibition,

The Cultures and History of the Americas: The Jay I. Kislak Collection at the Library of Congress.

Unknown. (A.D. 400-700). Plaque carved on two sides, with human face and animal headdress and deity in lotus position. Library of Congress: Exhibition, The Cultures and History of the Americas: The Jay I. Kislak Collection at the Library of Congress.

Unknown. (1100-500 B.C.) Seated male figure. Library of Congress: Exhibition, The Cultures and History of the Americas: The Jay I. Kislak Collection at the Library of Congress.

Unknown. (AD. 700-900). Large Burial Urn With ReliefGodHead. Library of Congress: Exhibition, The Cultures and History of the Americas: The Jay I. Kislak Collection at the Library of Congress.

Jackson, W. (photograph taken 1891). Aztec idol, Teoyaomiqui [Coatlicue (statue)]. Library of Congress: Prints and Photographs Online Catalog, Detroit Publishing Company Collection.

Jackson, W. (photograph taken 1880 -1897). Aztec calendar stone.

Library of Congress: Prints and Photographs Online Catalog, Detroit Publishing Company Collection.

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Mayan ball game [Plaque from Site Q]
Guatemalan lowlands.
Maya, Late Classic Period, A.D. 550-950
Limestone
Jay I. Kislak Collection
Rare Book and Special Collections Division (14) /

Mayan Ball Game

This carved limestone plaque depicts a ceremonial ball game scene. Scholars believe that, for the Maya, this ritual sport was a reenactment of a mythological battle. Throughout Mesoamerica, in many different forms, indigenous cultures practiced a version of the ball game.After adjusting for possible confounding factors, like smoking, educational status, and physical activity
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Mayan Jade

The front of this piece shows the face of a warrior, with a supernatural animal headdress and jade earflares and collar. There are five tiny holes for sewing the item to a garment.
The reverse side appears to have been carved at a later time, perhaps as a war talisman. It is the image of a deity sitting in lotus position with his head turned in profile. His large square eye is ringed and the pupil is in the form of a curl, typical of the Sun God. He wears a large belt, and his arms are in the regal position in front of his body, ready to receive a serpent bar. /
Plaque carved on two sides, with human face and animal headdress and deity in lotus position
Copán region, Honduras. Maya, Middle Classic Period, A.D. 400-700
Reverse side
Green jade
Jay I. Kislak Collection
Rare Book and Special Collections Division (15)
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Seated male figure
Las Bocas, Mexico. Olmec, 1100-500 B.C.
Cream-slipped ceramic sculpture
Jay I. Kislak Collection
Rare Book and Special Collections Division (21.2)
© Justin Kerr /

Olmec Sculpture

The Olmec are considered one of the earliest civilizations in Mesoamerica and the mother culture of later societies, including the Maya. Their artifacts exhibit a high degree of craftsmanship as demon-strated in this hand-modeled figure. The flesh areas are burnished, but not the hair zone or the split kilt. Red paint touches the tip of the nose, mouth, and chin, as well as the waistline and toes. Body features are picked out with incising, and tiny drill holes mark the ears, nostrils, and mouth corners on this extremely naturalistic figure.

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HOLLOW KNEELING MALE FIGURE
West Mexico, Jalisco. Terminal Preclassic, 200 B.C.-A.D. 300
Burnished ceramic.
Ht. 33 cm. (13")
[F] 84.3.0.1
Digital ID# kc0056
© Justin Kerr /
LARGE BURIAL URN WITH RELIEF GOD HEAD
Guatemalan Highlands; Quiche. Late Classic Maya, A.D. 700-900 Painted buff ceramic.
Ht. 53 cm. (20 3/4")
[F] 91.165.0.1 K6401
Digital ID# kc0055
© Justin Kerr /
LARGE BI-CONICAL INCENSE BURNER
Mexico, Veracruz. Mixtec culture, A.D. 1200-1500
Red, blue, and white painted ceramic.
Ht. 52.5 cm. (20"); Diam. 68.5 cm. (27")
[F] 92.95.0.1
Digital ID# kc0054
© Justin Kerr
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How to obtain copies of this item

TITLE:Aztec idol, Teoyaomiqui [Coatlicue (statue)]

CALL NUMBER:LC-D43-1132 <P&P>[P&P]

REPRODUCTION NUMBER:LC-D43-T01-1132 (b&w film dup. neg.)

MEDIUM:1 negative : glass ; 18 x 22 in.

CREATED/PUBLISHED:[1891]

CREATOR:

Jackson, William Henry, 1843-1942, photographer.

RELATED NAMES:

Detroit Publishing Co., publisher.

NOTES:

"Detroit Photographic Co." and "01132" on negative.

Commissioned by Mexican Central Railway, 1891.

Detroit Publishing Co. no. 01132.

Gift; State Historical Society of Colorado; 1949.

SUBJECTS:

Idols.
Aztecs.
Coatlicue (Statue)
Sculpture.
Indians of Mexico--Spiritual life.
Mexico--Mexico City.

FORMAT:

Mammoth plates.
Glass negatives.

PART OF:Detroit Publishing Company Photograph Collection

REPOSITORY:Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.20540USA

DIGITAL ID:(digital file from intermediary roll film of dup. neg.) det4a32629 det.4a32629

CARD #:det1994024760/PP

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How to obtain copies of this item

TITLE:Aztec calendar stone

CALL NUMBER:LC-D4-3162 <P&P>[P&P]

REPRODUCTION NUMBER:LC-D4-3162 (b&w glass neg.)

MEDIUM:1 negative : glass ; 8 x 10 in.

CREATED/PUBLISHED:[between 1880 and 1897]

CREATOR:

Jackson, William Henry, 1843-1942, photographer.

RELATED NAMES:

Detroit Publishing Co., publisher.

NOTES:

In courtyard of the National Museum, Mexico; cf. LOT 12007, p. 8.

"W.H. JacksonCo., Denver, Col." on negative.

Detroit Publishing Co. no. 03162.

Gift; State Historical Society of Colorado; 1949.

SUBJECTS:

Aztecs.
Indians of Mexico--Spiritual life.
Calendars.
Sculpture.
Mexico--Mexico City.

FORMAT:

Dry plate negatives.

PART OF:Detroit Publishing Company Photograph Collection

REPOSITORY:Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.20540USA

DIGITAL ID:(digital file from intermediary roll film) det4a03446 det.4a03446

CARD #:det1994003194/PP