Timeline Of Native American Art History
Native American art has always played an important role in the lives of the people. They used art to pass down their history and knowledge from one generation to another. Hence, if you check the timeline of Native American art history, it will tell you a lot about what the earlier tribes did and how they lived. |
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One of the first Native American arts is from 11,000 BCE. This was the etching of a mammoth walking. The etching was done on a mammoth bone. Then another art was that of a painted Cooper bison skull. We have to remember that the ancient Native Americans that came to North America were hunters and gatherers. Hence, it would be but natural that their art would be centered round these things. Then, there is even evidence of thin and fluted projectiles that were made by the Indian tribe known as Clovis. These projectiles are known as Clovis points.
The oldest Native American paintings in South America are found at the Caverna da Pedra Pintada. These paintings were done by the Monte Alegre tribe on rocks and it is estimated that they were created between 9250 BCE and 8550 BCE. There are even paintings of humans, animals, sun, geometric patterns and people hunting in Argentina. It is estimated that these painting were done some time around 7370 BCE.
The Native Americans were also into stone work, earthenware making, flint knapping. This is evident in northeastern part of Louisiana and is believed to have been done by the Poverty Point culture some time between 2500 and 1000 BCE. Perhaps the most fascinating Native American art is by the Mayans which was created between 1500 BCE and 250 CE and is found in Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and central and southeastern parts of Mexico. The Mayan art gave a lot of insight about the culture and traditions followed by the art.
Another Native American tribe in South America that has left their mark is the Olmec tribe. They made huge heads from basalt, sculpted images from jade, carved out writing into stones and also made effigy jars from ceramic. It is estimated that these works of art were made between 1400 and 400 BCE. The Zapotec tribe living in the valley of Oaxaca in Mexico made ceramic ware, jewelry and stonework; while the Hopewell tribe living in Ontario was into carving pipes, making jewelry, weaving and cutting mica.
It is really amazing that a lot of Native American art has survived from these ancient times. Many of the tribes have gone extinct and are no longer alive. However, as archaeologists discover these art forms, they get more and more information about the various tribes, their culture, lifestyle and traditions. Most of these tribes passed down their history to future generations in the form of art or by way of mouth. Hence, the art that is surviving today is of great importance and gives us insight how these people used to live centuries ago. It is truly fascinating to discover the different Native American art history and see the difference as well as similarities between the different tribes. Even in hostile conditions, such as the Colorado Desert in California, the Mojave tribe still managed to sculpt Blythe Geoglyphs. It is estimated that these were made between 755 and 890.
If you check out Native American art history, you will realize that the art is not just restricted to cave painting and sculptures. These people also wove fabric, made intricate appliqué using moose hair, engraved shells, made jewelry from gold, silver, copper and bronze, and also made beautiful works of art from stone, ceramic and wood. All these things were done without modern gadgets and that by itself makes it a true art form.
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Ahalenia: Timeline of Native American Art History
http://ahalenia.blogspot.com/2011/01/timeline-of-native-american-art-history.html
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With so many Native American tribes inhabiting North America, it is but natural that each tribe will have its own traditional clothing. While Native Americans wore clothes in the ancient times to protect themselves from the elements, they also served as a way of identifying the person's tribe. This is because each tribe's clothing, ornaments and headgear was distinctive and unique. This may sound strange, but it is a lot like the traditional costumes of different countries that people use today to identify a particular country. 