Art History Timeline / Ancient Americas Art
Ancient Americas Art for Kids: Art History, Artists and an Easy Art Activity
Many great cultures lived in the Americas long ago, like the Olmec, Maya, Aztec and Inca. They carved stone, shaped gold and clay, and wove amazing cloth. Their art often showed rulers, gods and animals like jaguars and birds.
For teachers
The Olmec (from about 1200 BCE) carved colossal stone heads and fine jade. The Maya combined carving, painted pottery and hieroglyphic writing, the Mexica (Aztec) carved monumental stone sculpture, and Andean cultures including the Inca prized textiles and metalwork. Spanish conquest in the 1500s ended these empires, but Indigenous peoples and their art traditions continue today.
What to look for
Pull up an artwork from this time and go on a looking hunt. Here is what to spot.
- Strong carved stone shapes
- Jaguars, snakes, birds and feathers
- Bold patterns and step shapes
- Gold, jade and bright woven cloth
Meet the artists
Olmec sculptors
about 1200 to 400 BCE
They carved giant stone heads, some taller than a grown-up.
Maya artists
about 250 to 900 (Classic period)
Some Maya artists painted stories on clay cups and vases and added hieroglyph writing.
Mexica (Aztec) artists
1325 to 1521
They carved large stone sculptures for their capital city, Tenochtitlan.
Artworks to look at closely
Click any artwork to zoom in on The Met website. Big screen, slow looking, lots of talking.
FaceOlmec artist(s), 900 to 400 BCEThe Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The Met
Vessel with mythological sceneMetropolitan Painter, 600 to 800 CEThe Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The Met
ChalchiuhtlicueMexica artist(s), 1325 to 1521 CEThe Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The Met
Votive checkerboard tunicInca artist(s), 1460 to 1626The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The MetTry it
An easy art activity you can do with paper and whatever drawing tools you have.
Design a jaguar mask on paper. Start with a big oval, then build the face from bold shapes: circles for eyes, triangles for teeth and step patterns around the edge. Colour it in strong reds, greens and golds.
Ms Artastic lessons
The video lessons below connect to this part of the timeline. Each one has a step-by-step video tutorial and a printable lesson plan. For free lessons you can teach this week, open the Free Art Lesson Library.
Open the Free Art Lesson LibraryQuestions teachers and parents ask
What is art of the ancient Americas?
Many great cultures lived in the Americas long ago, like the Olmec, Maya, Aztec and Inca. They carved stone, shaped gold and clay, and wove amazing cloth. Their art often showed rulers, gods and animals like jaguars and birds.
What time period is art of the ancient Americas from?
Time period: About 1200 BCE to the 1500s. Where: Mexico, Central America and the Andes of South America.
Who are some famous artists of art of the ancient Americas?
Olmec sculptors (about 1200 to 400 BCE), Maya artists (about 250 to 900 (Classic period)) and Mexica (Aztec) artists (1325 to 1521).
What is an easy art project for kids about art of the ancient Americas?
Design a jaguar mask on paper. Start with a big oval, then build the face from bold shapes: circles for eyes, triangles for teeth and step patterns around the edge. Colour it in strong reds, greens and golds.
The Artastic Collective art curriculum
Full art lessons, videos and units for the whole year, ready when you are. Monthly, yearly and VIP plans.
Ancient Americas video lessons
Press play and paint along with me. Each video lesson comes with a printable lesson plan and a QR code, so it is ready for the classroom or the kitchen table.
🎬 Video lessons
Teach it with a video lesson
Each one has a step-by-step video tutorial and the printable lesson plan.
