Amulet Necklace Scavenger Hunt

When you have completed this scavenger hunt, you should have a pretty good idea of the types of amulets, charms, talismans, and fetishes that people have been making for thousands of years throughout the world.

First, it's a good idea to be sure that we understand the terms, so take a look at these. You'll be seeing these throughout the scavenger hunt.

Amulet/ an object worn on the body because it is believed to have magical power to protect against injury or evil; a charm; talisman [Fr. amulette < L amuletum]

Fetish/ any object believed by some person or group to have magic power [Fr fetiche <Port feitiço, a charm, sorcery; orig. adj. < L. facticius, made by art, FACTITIOUS]

Talisman/ something, as a ring or stone, bearing engraved figures or symbols thought to bring good luck, keep away evil, etc.; amulet 2 anything thought to have magic power; a charm [FR < Ar tilasm, magic figure, horoscope < MGr telesma, consecrated object (hence, one with power to avert evil) < LGr, religious rite < Gr telein, to initiate, orig., to complete < telos, an end, completion, orig. prob. “turning point” < IE base *kwel-, to turn > WHEEL]

Charm/ 1 a) a chanted word, phrase, or verse assumed to have magic power to help or hurt; incantation b) the chanting of such a word, phrase, or verse 2 any object assumed to have such power, as an amulet or talisman [ME chare < OFr < L carmen, song, verse, charm < *canmen < canere, to sing < IE base *kan-, to sing, sound]

Pendant/ a hanging ornamental object, as one suspended from an earring or a necklace [ME pendaunt < Ofr pendant, prp. of pendre < L pendere, to hang < IE base *(s)pen(d)-, to pull, stretch]

There is a worksheet here that you can print and use while you work.

Review of Art Terms

Using an art textbook, look up the theories of art and write the definition of Imitationalism or Realism here. Write an original sentence using the term, imitationalism, and showing that you understand the word’s meaning.
Again, using an art text, look up the definitions of the following and write them here:

Abstract/

Nonobjective/

Explain the difference between abstract art and nonobjective art and use each in an original sentence, showing that you understand their meanings.

Scavenger Hunt

Use the links in the images to the right to find the answers to the following questions.

Necklace With Amulets What do the lotus flowers symbolize?
Splendors of Ancient Egypt Artifacts What are the colors in this jewelry believed to represent?
Ancient Egyptian Faience What did the scarab symbolize?
What quality was the lion considered to have?
What did frogs symbolize?
Neolithic Period of Greece and from the Bronze Age of Macedonia What materials were used to make jewelry during the Neolithic Period? (Hint: only one is listed on this page, but you can probably come up with others.)
Contemporary Amulet Necklaces Visit the sites listed under Contemporary Amulet Necklaces on the Resources page and sketch out 2 different ideas of how you might put together an amulet necklace using additional beads and materials.
A History of Charms and Charm Bracelets What are three purposes for charm wrist and neck bracelets in Ancient Egypt mentioned in the article? In the Roman Empire, what significance did Christians attach to a certain charm and how did they use it? Also in the Roman Empire, how and for what purpose did Jewish people use charms?

There is a worksheet here that you can print and use while you work.

Review of Art Terms

Scavenger Hunt

Necklace With Amulets

Splendors of Ancient Egypt Artifacts

Ancient Egyptian Faience

Neolithic Period of Greece and from the Bronze Age of Macedonia

Contemporary Amulet Necklaces

A History of Charms and Charm Bracelets