ARTARCH 3545 The Art and Architecture of Ancient Mesoamerica  Tags: art_history archaeology maya mesoamerica  

This course will examine the artistic and architectural achievements of the civilizations of ancient Mesoamerica, a cultural region covering most of modern-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. From the emergence of complex societies in the 2nd millennium BC through the rise of the spectacular cities of the Maya and ending with the violent fall of the Aztec Empire in the 16th century AD, rulers of ancient Mesoamerica relied on a consistent set of themes, images, and media to proclaim their religious and political authority. This class will explore how artists, farmers, priests, elites, kings, and other community members created a vast array of images and objects that expressed cultural ideals, political and religious narratives, and distinct ethnic and civic identities.

While some of the resources in this guide are freely available, most research databases and electronic journals and many online library services have access restrictions that require that you be a current Washington University student, faculty member, or staff member. See this page for help.

Maya Bowl, 6th century, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Collections, New York; ARTstor  ID MMA_IAP_10310749423 Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art "Reproduction of any kind is prohibited without express written permission in advance from The Metropolitan Museum of Art."

This is the library research guide for Professor Matthew H. Robb's course The Art and Architecture of Ancient Mesoamerica: Objects of Ritual, Places of Power, Art History and Archaeology 3545.

Please let Kasia Leousis know if you have any questions about the guide, WU Library services, or research in art history.