stelae

Examples of stelae in the following topics:

• Stelae of the Middle Kingdom

  • The stelae of Ancient Egypt served many purposes, from funerary, to marking territory, to publishing decrees.
  • While most stelae were taller than they were wide, the slab stelae took a horizontal dimension and was used by a small list of ancient Egyptian dignitaries or their wives.
  • While some funerary stelae were in the form of slab stelae, this funerary stelae of a bowman named Semin (c. 2120-2051 BCE) appears to have been a traditional vertical stelae.
  • Many stelae were used as territorial markers to delineate land ownership.
  • This drawing represents one of the larger fragments of this stelae.

• Stelae in the Greek High Classical Period

  • Large, relief-carved stelae became the new funerary markers in Greece during the High Classical period.
  • The stelae were wide and tall and were Classical-style portraits.
  • Stelae were inscribed with the name of the dead and often the names of the relatives.
  • Most stelae are rectangular and often topped with a pediment.
  • While the above stelae commemorate adults, grave stelae also commemorated those who died as children.

• Architecture of Aksun and Lalibela

  • The stelae are the most identifiable part of the Aksumite legacy.
  • The stelae have most of their mass above ground but are stabilized by massive underground counterweights.
  • The stelae in Northern Stelae Park range to 33 meters high.
  • The obelisk is an example of the stelae built by the Aksum kingdom.
  • Identify the famous rock-cut churches of Lalibela and the stelae, obelisk, and Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion of Aksum.

• South America

  • A detail of the Raimondi Stela.
  • This stela was found out of its original placement at the ceremonial complex, Chavín de Huantar.

• Death

  • The stelae of Aksum are enormous stone towers and grave markers (some up to 33 meters high) that are engraved with patterns and emblems representing the rank of the deceased.
  • Describe the sculptures, stelae, masquerades, and traditional rituals related to beliefs about death in Africa.

• Art of the Maya

  • The stele was originally painted - remnants of red paint are visible on many stelae and buildings in Copan.
  • They represent a wider range of human types and activities than is commonly depicted on Mayan stelae.

• Chinese Influences in Vietnamese Art

  • In front of the Great Gate are four tall pillars, and on either side of the pillars are two stelae, or stone tablets commanding horsemen to dismount.

• Kingdom of Aksum

  • The Stelae (hawilt/hawilti in local languages) are perhaps the most identifiable part of the Aksumite legacy.
  • The Stelae have most of their mass out of the ground, but are stabilized by massive underground counter-weights.

• Babylon

  • The upper part of the stela of Hammurabi's code of laws

• Cultures of Mesoamerica

  • Made from basalt rock from the Tuxtla mountains to the north, the Olmec used this rock to create altars, stelae, and colossal heads.