The Cholas’ Sculpture Temples of Ancient Times

The Cholas were a culture that built a strong foundation of sculpted architecture in 850 -1250 CE. They refined the styles of Dravidian art and created intricate bronze and stone sculptures and temples that were made to last for generations. During the middle period of their golden age, we can observe that projects and conquests of Rajendra Chola and his son; Rajendra Chola I. They built a number of temples in their culture’s unique architectural styles. Many ruins and remnants of these ancient structures still stand tall today because of their amazing engineering and design capabilities during the Chola period. One of these famous temples is the Tiruvalisvaram temple near Tirunelveli. These temples were of a very intricate and detailed design. From afar, they resembled the ascending orientation of Egyptian pyramids, but up close, a stylistic manner of sculpture and ornamental carvings can be visible to the eye.

Two of the greatest Chola temples are the Thanjavur and Gangaikondacholapuram. The first was completed around 1009 CE and is a memorial to the achievements made during the Rajendra reign. It is also the largest and tallest masterpiece in South Indian historical art culture. The two towers that surround the temple are called gopuras. Despite their massive size, the gopuras do not steal away the focus on the main temple itself because of the way they were constructed. The architecture revolves on the main temple through the flow of design composition within the entire complex. The Cholas were historically some of the best architects of their time, and today their incredible accomplishments still puzzle the modern world in more ways than even they could have imagined.

Vučedol Culture and Their Sculptures

Some archaeologists have found many interesting ceramic artworks from ancient Vučedol culture. Many of these are are cut decoratively with specific geometric traits and blackish hues. More characteristics of ancient ceramic vases and sculptures are a high glow, skillful inlay of colors and symbolical orientation. The photograph below is one artifact that was found and salvaged. It’s the Vučedol dove and was the primary symbol of their culture at the time. The traditionally incrusted colors aren’t visible on this specific piece, however you can evidently see the geometric cutting patterns made by the craftsman.

Vučedol cultural art could also give us a glimpse of how they lived long ago. The artwork mildly resembles some elements in their lifestyle, such as their half-buried mushroom-like housing system. They also chose to reside on hilltops with palisade walls. The sculpture of the dove reveals the shape of the hilltop where the head stands out overlooking the valley. It also gives a similar comparison to the way their houses looked. In time, Vučedol culture gave birth to the Bronze age Vinkovci culture that is now known for their usage of fibulas made of bronze. Every single race holds art and artifacts that we can trace back to significant hitorical findings, but it’s a pleasure to know where our past ancestors have gone in the search for artistic passions.