Art and Archaeology of Ancient Mesoamerica

Undergraduate catalogue cross-listing

This course explores the visual and archaeological world of ancient Mesoamerica, from the first arrival of humans in the area until the Spanish invasion in the early 16th C. Major artistic traditions considered include those of the Olmecs, Maya, Aztecs, and others. Lectures will introduce students to these artistic traditions and pose central questions and debates in Mesoamerican art history and archaeology. Preceptorial sections apply this knowledge in hands-on work with objects form the collections of the Princeton University Art Museum. For department majors, this course satisfies the pre-400 historical period distribution requirement.