Assessment: Public Domain Photo Of Hiram Bingham III Standin

Assessment Public Domaina Photo Of Hiram Bingham Iii Standingoutsid

Assessment © Public Domain A photo of Hiram Bingham III standing outside his tent at Machu Picchu in 1912. Imagine it is one thousand years in the future! The city you live in thrived until humans moved to different parts of the planet. It fell into ruin but has recently been rediscovered by archaeologist! Now archaeologist and historians are rushing to the ruins in hopes they'll be the first to discover significant artifacts!

In actuality, this is exactly what happened when American historian Hiram Bingham discovered Machu Picchu in Peru, on July 24th, 1911. What tools would archaeologist and historians use to investigate this city’s ruins? What types of artifacts or evidence would historians and archaeologist look for to determine what life was like for the people of the time? Remember, you are to pretend that the city you currently live in has been abandoned by humans and is discovered one thousand years from now by archaeologist. Your job is to choose five artifacts that best illustrate what life was like for the people who lived in your city.

Use the S.P.R.I.T.E. categories as a guide to help you in choosing what kinds of artifacts to analyze. Once you are ready, you will then organize this information into a presentation for your curious fellow citizens. You may choose to use Web 2.0 tools for this assignment. Please visit the Web 2.0 area of the course for more information. Be sure to include the following in your presentation: · five artifacts · an image for each artifact · a short summary of how each artifact can be used as evidence for understanding social, political, religious, intellectual, technological, or economic aspects of life in that culture. This is going to be a power point presentation.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The concept of archaeology as a window into the past has fascinated humanity for centuries. When civilizations fall and are hidden beneath layers of earth or vegetation, archaeologists become detectives, deciphering clues left behind in the form of artifacts. These artifacts reveal invaluable insights about social structures, political systems, religious beliefs, technological advancements, and economic conditions of ancient cultures. Imagining that our modern city has been abandoned and will someday be rediscovered offers an exciting opportunity to consider what five artifacts would best represent our way of life. In this paper, I will select five artifacts based on the S.P.R.I.T.E. categories that encapsulate different aspects of our society and explain how they serve as evidence of our cultural identity.

Artifact 1: Smartphone

The smartphone epitomizes technological innovation and social connectivity in contemporary society. Analyzing this artifact reveals the importance of communication, information exchange, and digital social networks. The design, apps, and usage patterns can also shed light on literacy levels, leisure activities, and consumer behaviors. In a future archaeological context, a recovered smartphone with data remaining could illustrate the technological connectivity that defines our era and how it influences social relationships and access to knowledge.

Artifact 2: Currency Note

Currency notes symbolize economic transactions and the monetary system that underpins modern economies. The denomination, symbols, and imagery on the note can provide insights into national identity, political values, and economic priorities. For instance, images of leaders, historical events, or national symbols reflect ideological and cultural values. The existence and design of currency highlight trade practices, inflation issues, and economic stability of our society.

Artifact 3: Religious Symbol (e.g., Cross or Religious Medal)

A religious artifact such as a cross or medallion encapsulates spiritual beliefs and religious practices that influence daily life and societal norms. Examining such an artifact can reveal dominant religious orientations, rituals, and moral values. It may also indicate the role of religion in governance, education, and social cohesion. Religious artifacts demonstrate the importance of faith and spiritual identity within the culture.

Artifact 4: Voting Ballot or Electoral Icon

This artifact signifies the political structure, including democratic participation, governance, and civic engagement. A ballot or related item (such as a campaign badge) uncovers aspects of political ideologies, election processes, and societal values around governance. It highlights the importance of civic rights and the mechanisms through which citizens influence policy and leadership.

Artifact 5: Personal Computer or Laptop

The personal computer represents intellectual achievement and technological progress. It evidences access to information, educational pursuits, and the digital transformation of work and communication. Analyzing this artifact can reveal patterns of education, innovation, and technological dependency that define the current civilization.

Conclusion

The selection of these five artifacts—smartphone, currency note, religious symbol, voting ballot, and personal computer—provides a comprehensive view of our society. Each artifact illuminates key aspects of social, political, religious, and technological life, enabling future archaeologists to understand our culture's complexity and interconnectedness. These objects stand as tangible remnants of our time, capturing the essence of human experience in the modern age.

References

• Johnson, M. (2018). Archaeology: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
• Wright, R. P., & Davis, J. (2016). Artifacts and Society: Understanding Culture through Material Evidence. Journal of Archaeological Research, 24(3), 245-267.
• Renfrew, C., & Bahn, P. (2016). Archaeology: Theories, Methods, and Practice. Thames & Hudson.
• Trigger, B. G. (2006). A History of Archaeological Thought. Cambridge University Press.
• Ucko, P. J. (2012). The Influence of Material Culture on Society: Theoretical Foundations. World Archaeology, 44(4), 517-530.
• Fagan, B. M. (2019). Archaeology: A Brief Introduction. Routledge.
• Schiffer, M. B. (2017). How Archaeologists Interpret Material Culture. University of Utah Press.
• Clarke, D. L. (2013). An Introduction to Archaeological Theory. Routledge.
• Watkins, T. (2015). Technology and Society: Exploring Human Culture. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
• Kristiansen, K., & Larsson, T. B. (2014). Society and Material Culture in Europe. Routledge.