Topic:

The early societies that we have been discussing in lecture have, for the most part, been
illiterate societies that even when a written language existed, it was typically understood by
a small percentage of the population. Therefore, communicating to the masses was
accomplished through art and architecture, due to its high level of visibility and ability to
be understood by all. For this topic, choose 2-3 works of art and architecture and analyze
how these works “spoke” to the larger population. Make sure that you include look at all
aspects, including the individual visual components, material, intended audience and
message, where the object or structure was located, how successful you believe it was, etc.

In the ancient world, literacy was a very uncommon occurrence, and even when written language
did exist, it was typically only known by a tiny portion of the populace. This was particularly
true in the early civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Mayans, when the great bulk of the
populace was illiterate and depended on other ways of communicating crucial cultural and
religious ideas.
For instance, cuneiform script, utilized by a select group of scribes who had received training in
its usage, was the earliest form of writing that was created in Mesopotamia as a way to record
transactions. The general populace had a limited understanding of this script, which was mostly
utilised for administrative functions. Similar to this, reading and writing were considered to be
signs of social position and prestige in ancient Egypt, where priests as well as scribes were the
main users of hieroglyphics.
Due to the general lack of literacy, it was crucial to use other kinds of communication, like as
architecture and art to communicate vital cultural and religious concepts. For instance, the
enormous temples or pyramids in Mesopotamia and Egypt operated besides serving political and
religious hubs also served as potent emblems of the ruling classes and their ties to the deities.
The governing elites were capable of communicating their influence and power over the
populace as well as their position as the go-betweens between people as well as the gods through
the use of these magnificent constructions. Similar to this, in the Mayan civilisation, the
grandiose architectural complexes, like those at Tikal and Palenque, served as both places of
worship and hubs of economic and political power, displaying the status and riches of the ruling
classes. The Mayans seem to have been able to convey their religious ideals and shared culture to
both their own people and other nearby civilizations via their magnificent building.
In ancient civilizations, art was also vital to the transmission of religious and cultural values. For
instance, in ancient Egypt, the representation of gods with pharaohs in sculpture and art helped to
reinforce the power of the governing elites and to transmit significant religious and political
themes. Similarly, in Mesopotamian and Mayan civilizations, intricate relief carvings and
elaborate frescoes adorned the walls of temples and palaces, communicating important cultural
and religious beliefs to the masses.

The Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and Mayans relied heavily on art and architecture to
communicate important messages and convey their cultural beliefs to the masses. These societies
were largely illiterate, and even when written language existed, it was only understood by a
small percentage of the population. Therefore, art and architecture played a crucial role in
communicating important ideas and values to the wider population. In this essay, I will analyze
two works of art and architecture to demonstrate how these objects "spoke" to the larger
population.
The Great Sphinx of Giza, which is situated in Egypt, is the earliest piece of art. The Sphinx is a
huge statue of a lion with a human head that was created during the rule of Pharaoh Khafre. The
Sphinx was built to defend the entrance to the Pharaoh's temple and was intended to represent the
Pharaoh's might and authority. The sun god, Ra, who was a major figure in the Egyptian
pantheon, was also supposed to be represented by the Sphinx as a symbol of strength and might.
The Sphinx's distinct visual elements are quite important. The lion's body of the monument stood
for power and strength, and the human head portrayed the Pharaoh's knowledge and wisdom.
The Sphinx's position at the entrance to the Pharaoh's temple highlighted its function as a
watchdog and a representation of the Pharaoh's power. Limestone, a strong and long-lasting
material, was also used to create the Sphinx, emphasizing its durability and timelessness.
The Sphinx was built with the general populace in mind since it was placed in a prominent
location near the temple's entrance. The Pharaoh was strong and knowledgeable, and the gods
backed his reign, according to the Sphinx's word. The Sphinx was a very popular piece of art and
is still one of Egypt's most recognizable and iconic structures. The Sphinx continues to be a
significant icon of ancient Egyptian civilization and is a popular tourist destination today.
The Temple of the Inscriptions at Palenque, an ancient Mayan city, is the second piece of
artwork. Built approximately 700 AD, the enormous structure with a pyramidal design is known
as the Temple of the Inscriptions. Pakal the Great's ultimate resting place was in the temple,
which was also utilized for religious rituals.
For the Mayans, the Temple of the Inscriptions held great significance since it represented the
dynasty's dominance and might. The ruler's accomplishments and the gods who backed his rule
were represented in elaborate carvings and inscriptions that ornamented the temple. The
engravings displayed the Mayans' mastery of astronomy and mathematics by conveying
significant knowledge in those fields.
The Temple of the Inscriptions' construction materials were of great significance as well. Built in
stone, the temple was intended to survive for many centuries. The magnitude and durability of
the temple emphasized the ruler's power and the significance of the Mayan religion by conveying
a feeling of stability and continuity.
Due to its central location and easy accessibility, the Temple of the Inscriptions was built with
the general populace in mind. The temple's message was unmistakable: the governing dynasty
was strong and had the gods' blessing. The temple, which is still among the most significant and
well-preserved specimens of pre-Columbian Mayan architecture, was a very successful piece of
art.
One of the most important pieces of pre-Columbian American art, the Temple of the Inscriptions
is still a popular tourist destination today. Ancient civilizations relied heavily on architecture as a
means of support.
As a result, despite the absence of widespread literacy in the ancient world, art and architecture
were extremely significant in spreading fundamental cultural and religious values among the
populace. These magnificent buildings functioned as potent emblems of the populace's religious
and cultural values. These buildings and relics still give insightful information on the cultural
identities, philosophies, and beliefs of these ancient civilizations, as well as a fascinating view
into their way of life.

References:

M. M Jarzombak (2013). “Architecture of the first societies: A global perscpective”. ISBN: 978-
1-118-14210-3

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/uncovering-secrets-of-the-sphinx-5053442/

https://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/civil/egypt/egca15e.html