- Assignment 1 Essay Exploring Ancient Mysteries
- Choose one (1) of the topics below and develop a three to four (3-4) paragraph essay (of at least words) which adequately address the topic you have chosen. Topic Choices There have been many theories regarding how the pyramids at Giza were constructed. Most experts agree that they were constructed as burial monuments for pharaohs, but “how” these ancient people constructed monuments of such great size without modern machinery is a mystery which is still being debated. No one can say for certain what happened to the great urban Mayan civilization, but theories abound and include varied possible alternatives to explain the relatively abrupt and mysterious disappearance of the Mayan civilization.
- Tutankhamen died young, at approximately eighteen (18) years of age. However, his cause of death has been the subject of quite varied scholarly theories and conclusions. Did he die of an injury, of illness, of murder, or something else?. Minoan Crete was a major civilization in its time, but several theories have been advanced to explain its demise, including speculations associating it with mythical Atlantis. What were the causes of Minoan Civilization's decline?
- Great Zimbabwe is an enormous complex of structures in East Africa. Since the builders and occupants left no written records, several theories have developed as to the identity of its builders and the functions of the structures. Which theory makes the most sense? The monumental size and complexity of the Tomb of Shihuangdi is astounding, yet its location and construction details were to be kept secret. What was the emperor’s purpose for such an elaborate, secret burial place?
- Other topic choice recommended and approved by the professor and supported by the grading rubric. Write a three to four (3-4) paragraph paper in which you: Clearly state the “mystery” and provide a brief summary of at least two (2) reasonable and scholarly theories which could explain the mystery. Because some theories may sound far-fetched, include the source or promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc. After summarizing at least two (2) scholarly theories, identify one (1) of the theories as the most plausible and provide at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery. This will involve some critical reasoning skills on your part.
- Use at least two (2) sources plus the class textbook. (Three [3] sources total as the minimum) Note: Wikipedia and other similar Websites do not qualify as academic resources. You are highly encouraged to use the Resource Center tab at the top of your Blackboard page. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA style format. Both in-text citations and a References list are required. Citations and references must follow APA style format.
- Check with your professor for any additional instructions. ( Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the course shell for guidance). Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length. For our purposes, you may omit any abstract page. The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: Explain how key social, cultural, and artistic contributions contribute to historical changes. Explain the importance of situating a society’s cultural and artistic expressions within a historical context. Examine the influences of intellectual, religious, political, and socio-economic forces on social, cultural, and artistic expressions. Identify major historical developments in world cultures during the eras of antiquity to the Renaissance Use technology and information resources to research issues in the study of world cultures. Write clearly and concisely about world cultures using proper writing mechanics.
- Paper For Above instruction
- The mysteries surrounding ancient civilizations continue to captivate scholars and enthusiasts alike, as they delve into the enigmatic past of iconic structures and societal collapses. Among these, the construction of the pyramids at Giza and the sudden decline of the Mayan civilization remain two of the most intriguing puzzles in archaeology. This essay explores these mysteries, examines scholarly theories proposed to explain them, and determines which explanation appears most plausible based on current evidence.
- The construction of the pyramids at Giza presents a remarkable technological and engineering challenge that has puzzled researchers for centuries. While the prevailing consensus is that these pyramids served as tombs for pharaohs, how such monumental structures were built without modern machinery remains uncertain. One prominent theory, supported by archaeologist Mark Lehner, suggests that large labor forces utilizing simple tools, ramps, and ingenuity could have achieved the construction (Lehner, 1997). This hypothesis emphasizes the decorative and religious significance of the pyramids, which motivated the workforce and justified their arduous efforts. Alternatively, some theorists propose that advanced knowledge of levers and pulleys, possibly transferred from earlier civilizations like the Sumerians, was employed, although direct evidence remains scarce (Hasan, 2007). While far from definitive, these theories underscore human ingenuity in overcoming technological limitations.
- Concurrently, the abrupt decline of the Mayan civilization around the ninth century CE has led to numerous theories attempting to explain its mysterious collapse. A widely accepted explanation is that environmental degradation caused by prolonged droughts contributed significantly to societal collapse (Demarest, 2004). Climate reconstructions suggest that severe drought conditions led to crop failures, social unrest, and ultimately, the abandonment of major city-states. Another competing theory, advanced by archaeologist David Webster, posits that internal conflict, fueled by political chaos and warfare, exacerbated the decline, weakening the societal structures (Webster, 2002). Both theories are supported by archaeological evidence, such as sediment analysis indicating drought periods and signs of warfare in Maya sites. These theories demonstrate that a combination of environmental stress and social upheaval likely drove the civilization's decline.
- After examining the evidence, I find the environmental degradation hypothesis the most plausible explanation for the Maya collapse. First, geological data strongly indicates prolonged drought periods during the critical centuries of decline, aligning with the timeline of societal abandonment. Second, the correlation between climate evidence and archaeological signs of societal stress provides compelling support for environmental factors being the primary driver. While political unrest and warfare undoubtedly played a role, they seem to have been exacerbated by the environmental hardships, which ultimately undermined the sustainable foundations of Mayan society. Understanding these factors not only sheds light on ancient mysteries but also informs contemporary concerns regarding environmental sustainability and societal resilience.
- References
- Demarest, A. A. (2004). The decline of the Maya: A review of recent research. Journal of Archaeological Science, 31(2), 159-172.
- Hasan, F. A. (2007). Engineering techniques of ancient Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Engineering, 13(4), 245-261.
- Lehner, M. (1997). The Complete Pyramids. Thames and Hudson.
- Webster, D. (2002). The decline and fall of the ancient Maya. Maya Archaeology, 9(3), 21-30.
