Native American Historical and Political Development Essays

Native American Historical and Political Development Essays Native American Historical and Political Development Essay Native American Historical and Political Development Essay Essay Topic: Historical Name: Instructor: Course: Date: Native American Historical and Political Development Native American pottery is a form of art that has existed for at least 700 centuries within the Americas. Pottery can be defined as any objects that are made of fired clay ceramics. Ceramics are commonly used as practical cooking vessels, serving and preservation vessels, burial urns, sculptures, musical instruments, ceremonial items, censers, and countless other art forms. Since they are resilient, ceramic items have been a vital source of information in learning more about Pre-Columbian indigenous cultures. The earliest ceramics discovered in the Americas were discovered in the lower Amazon Basin around the Caverna de Pedra Pintada areas that were dated back to about 5,000 years (Ferguson et al 13). Some of the shards at this location were tempered using mollusk shells that allowed the ceramics to be carbon dated. From the engravings, it was evident that the first ceramic-making cultures were shellfish-gatherers and fishers. Ceramics next surfaced across northern South America and then later in the western part of South America. As of this period (4530BCE), the primary purpose of ceramic objects was to store food (Ferguson et al 23). Historical background of pottery and ceramics The communities of Mesoamerica and South America were generally modern with the European Christian period. Both tribes were quickly eliminated by the Spanish invasion following on the journeys of discovery done by Columbus. The vanquishers instantly found themselves in disagreements with the native inhabitants. The clergy sought to convert people to Christianity, and they used less aggressive techniques entrenched in religion in order to destroy a whole culture gradually. The two principal empires, the Aztecs of Mesoamerica and the Incas of Peru exhibited agricultural activities and promoted architecture and art. The monuments discovered later were extremely extraordinary even though they were developed by highly primitive societies (Ferguson et al 21). Early Pre-Columbian Civilizations Several pre-Columbian societies existed over several periods, and they served to transmit the skill of pottery and that of making ceramics to the next generation, up to what it is today. Analyzing the lineage and progress of these communities from the past to the present will give more insight on their unique skills, artwork and cultural practices. The Chavin tribe that existed around 1400 to 300 BC was perhaps the most ancient tribe to exist in America (Schurr et al 177). Evidence of pottery and other crafts existed, but these were mostly limited to the temple galleries indicating that they held a religious significance. By 2000 BCE, pottery and ceramic making was popular in Central America, although modern techniques and machinery such as the potter’s wheel and glazing were not used. The two main methods of fashioning pots were to use bare hands or made inside molds and finished using fine polychrome (Ferguson et al 15). The Moche tribe that came up from 100-700 AD was more aggressive in their ceramics and pottery skills. Their pottery was immensely influential in illustrating different societal figures such as priests, lords and even warriors. Through these discovered pottery, most archeologists have been able to study the level of complexity of the Moche society. These artists engaged in documenting pre-Columbian accomplishments through realism and pictorials. There were even instances of erotic pottery. The Nazca tribe came up from 200to 800 AD to introduce aspects of color and complex designs to pottery in a fashion that contrasted the restrained styles typical of Moche ceramics (Schurr et al 178). The last regime to propagate the pottery tradition significantly was the Huari-Tiahuanaco hegemony that created pottery characterized by audacious designs, richer colors and solid constructions. This pottery style ultimately overshadowed the other earlier forms of pottery making to become the most domi nant type that spread throughout most of America. Many pre-Columbian civilizations set up permanent urban communities where they practiced agriculture and developed intricate societal hierarchies. The oldest mound complex in the Americas, the Watson Brake and other archaic sites were constructed by pre-ceramic societies. Throughout the various studies among different cultures and different periods, it is notable that each society had some pottery or ceramics that they created, especially in cases where the society was involved in agriculture. The Native Americans developed their own techniques of pottery and ceramics in a manner similar to that of other societies throughout the world. Many of the Native American communities used ceramics and pottery even before the Europeans first inhabited the Americas. While some hunter-gatherer tribes did not delve so much into this unique pottery, the communities that engaged in farming had various uses for the Native American ceramics (Ferguson et al 67). As the Native Americans were relocated across the continent by Europeans, they were able to transport their Native American ceramics on the journey. Many of the communities ultimately appeared to have lost their indigenous pottery as they were pressed further away from their initial native regions. The southwestern Indians were the most advantageous group in that they were able to salvage most of their artwork including pottery and other ceramics. Some of their striking ceramic works comprised of wedding vases with double spouts and other colorful ceramics that had distinctive designs. Various communities had their own techniques and patterns of creating the Native American ceramics (Fash Luja?n 18). Some of the methods including kiln firing the pottery but almost each community had its own unique pattern and method of finishing the ceramics (Ferguson et al 34). The common aspect among all the communities was that their ceramics were all hand made. Even presently, the few existing Native Americans still hold the ability to create ceramics using their skillful hands. Most of these artists have become very famous, as their works on Native American culture have been displayed in famous galleries and shows. Therefore, while most indigenous Indians lost their land during the relocation process, they were still able to preserve much of their traditions and skills including Native American pottery (Kampen-O’Riley 37). The decorative ceramic ornaments and other pottery items carried with them a vast amount of knowledge on the social and religious values within the pre-Columbian societies. These people had transcended from the essential subsistence life into complex and creative groups within the harsh life of the wildness. These pre-Columbian societies held some of the initial sources of early inventiveness, imagination, and functionality. Apart from religious and social significance, the ceramics and pottery were very important in running the economy through trading activities and negotiation sessions among communities (Ferguson et al 345). Colonization of the New World and loss of Pre-Columbian Culture Pottery and other works of art largely disappeared after the entry of Europeans into Native America. The loss of a larger part of the Western hemisphere led to several administrative, physical and cultural changes for the Native Americans who inhabited the land. The religious and cultural arrogance exhibited by the Europeans was largely to blame for the great disappearance of most elements of pre-Columbian cultures (Kampen-O’Riley 22). Settlers who inhabited the Americas failed to see anything of value in pre-Columbian America and instead sought to impose their own traditions, cultures and norms onto the natives. This was a major cause of the loss of cultural practices such as pottery. Concerning the loss of cultural elements among the Native Americans, Europeans played a major role in ensuring they were eliminated from any historical records. Through their own cultural arrogance, Europeans were able to dismiss the historical existence of Native Americans as being recreated and falsified. To that extent, they considered these natives as having lived in an unhistorical state. Disease outbreaks were another major cause of cultural loss (Bulmer-Thomas et al 18). While Europeans were used to keeping their livestock in close quarters, the Native Americans quickly contracted and died from epidemics and this thinned out the number of artists that could pass on the tradition of making ceramics and other similar products (Ferguson et al 11). Significance of Ceramics and Pottery Religious importance When evaluating non-western art, it is imperative to bear in mind that the objects being viewed were created for exceptionally precise functions. While art professionals normally discuss these works of art in terms of strictly aesthetics, at a stage, it becomes necessary to comprehend the significance of the works of art to the communities who created them (Young-Sa?nchez Denise 16). Almost without exemption, Pre-Columbian art has a heavy religious significance naturally. The ceramics and pottery that have been conserved were mostly temple architecture and items, burial art, and artifacts from sports events that were ultimately religious. Ordinarily, placing ethnographic objects in an inert museum environment makes people forget their original utilities. The Maya sculptor who cautiously molded away on a lump of clay to create a figure did not expect it to be locked away in an art gallery. When people assess these artifacts, detached from their intended place and time, they conclude that they lacked religious significance. Ancient religious occurrences can only be inferred from archaeological materials (Young-Sa?nchez Denise 15). Several clay sculptures discovered in graves may offer little or no proof that they were relevant in religious occasions during the Pre-Classic periods of Ticoman and Zacatenco. It is likely, though, that baked earth figures of females were supposed to symbolize an agricultural idol, a deity of the crops. Two-headed clay figurines unearthed at Tlatilco had a high likelihood of depicting a paranormal being. The same conclusion can be said of the clay idols of a fire god shaped as an old man. The pyramid of Cuicuilco near Mexico is one of the most fascinating monuments that may also have religious meaning. The monument illustrated the main aspects of the Mexican pyramids and this made it seem likely to be a religious shrine, signified by a temple erected on the platform and enclosed by tombs (Young-Sa?nchez Denise 11). Such architecture would have obviously been supervised and organized by several priests. An example is the preoccupation with the afterlife and death itself. Therefore, the ceramics developed by the societies included skulls and devil figurines signified religious activities using these ceramics. The religious significance of pre-Columbian ceramics, that is presently accepted, was initially misinterpreted. In fact, their secular value was the main criteria used when assessing them and this made most of them fail the value test. For many years, Mexican cultivators had been discovering antique ceramic pots and other physical artifacts while cultivating their farms. In the past, collectors considered them useless and even amusing. Because of the low monetary value, they were usually destroyed and discarded. Ordinary household uses Among Pre-Columbian tribes, the vessels used by most households were mainly made of earthenware. These vessels were created in various traditional forms, including globular, ovoid, and cylindrical and double-chambered forms with diverse handles and spouts. These artifacts were used as household utensils, funerary objects, cooking pots, and ritual objects and water jugs. Their form, purpose, and embellishment differentiated the vessels amongst pre-Columbian communities. Zoomorphic and anthropomorphic vessels naturally suggested ritual and funerary use were decorated by more unique and complicated adornments than household earthenware. Although many cultures borrow different elements from each other, each culture developed their vessels having their own particulars and iconography. While most artifacts can be easily categorized as having religious or household significance, some are more difficult to place. Stirrup spout vessels were the main ceramics used that consisted of a handle, and a spout. The immense numbers of existing stirrup spout vessels were suspected to be necessary for funerary purposes. However, the evidence of the wear and tear pointed towards utilitarian purposes within the household (Young-Sa?nchez Denise 24). Conclusion The Pre-Columbian era was marked with a significant contribution by several tribes to the archeological pool that mainly concentrated on ceramics and pottery. The lack of proper writing systems among Pre-Columbian cultures prompted the development of pottery and ceramics as a channel through which history could be recorded. Through these artifacts, the tribes could express and transfer their knowledge to the rest of the world surrounding astronomy, philosophy, cosmology and even religion. The political influences that interfered with the development of these civilizations may have been inconsiderate and unfair but their actions were crucial in dispersing these cultures to different parts of the world where they would have otherwise not reached. Work Cited Bulmer-Thomas, V, John H. Coatsworth, and Conde R. Corte?s. The Cambridge Economic History of Latin America. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006. Print. Fash, William L, Luja?n L. Lo?pez. The Art of Urbanism: How Mesoamerican Kingdoms Represented Themselves in Architecture and Imagery. Washington, D.C: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, 2009. Print. Ferguson, Jeffrey R.; Siegel, Peter E.; Descantes, Christophe; Glascock, Michael D. Pre-Columbian Pottery in the West Indies: Compositional Change in Context. Journal of Caribbean Archeology. 2008. Kampen-O’Riley, Michael. Art Beyond the West: The Arts of Africa, India and Southeast Asia, China, Japan and Korea, the Pacific, and the Americas. New York: H.N. Abrams, 2002. Print. Schurr, Theodore G. Coastal Waves and Island Hopping: A Genetic View of Caribbean Prehistory and New World Colonization. Island Shores, Distant Pasts: Archaeological and Biological Approaches to the Pre-Columbian Settlement of the Caribbean. 2010: 177-197. Print Young-Sa?nchez, Margaret, Denise P. Schaan. Marajo?: Ancient Ceramics from the Mouth of the Amazon. Denver, CO: Mayer Center for Pre-Columbian Spanish Colonial Art at the Denver Art Museum, 2011. Print.