Biocultural and SOcial Evolution

Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1of 72

UNIT3

UNIT 3: Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution

Content: Objectives: Evaluation Method


1. Biological and cultural 1. Trace the biological and cultural
evolution: from Homo evolution of early to modern
habilis to Homo sapiens humans
in the fossil record 2. Explore the significance of human
material remains and artefactual
2. Cultural and socio political evidence in interpreting cultural
evolution from hunting and and social, including political and
gathering to the agricultural,
industrial, and post-industrial
economic, processes
revolutions. 3. Recognize national, local, and
3. Neolithic Revolution specialized museums, and
4. Early Civilaztion and the rise archeological and historical sites as
of the state venues to appreciate and reflect
5. Democratization on the complexities of biocultural
and social evolution as part of
being and becoming human
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution

Evolution is the process of


developing physical and biological
change in a species over a period
of time.

The biological evolution of man refers to the long


evolutionary history of the human species from primates to its
current form, the Homo sapiens
http://thescienceexplorer.com/humanity/meet-homo-naledi-latest-addition-human-family
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution

The Transition from Early to Modern


Humans
The biological transition of humans from its
earliest state to its current physical and
biological makeup took millions of years to
complete. Despite this, scientists, through
the help of archaeological pieces of evidence
and modern technology, were able to
identify and distinguish distinct transitional
stages of human evolution. These stages are
described in the next succeeding slides.
https://www.tacomacc.edu/areasofstudy/collegetransfer/anthropology/
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution

Homo habilis (2.5 – 1.4 million years ago)


• Developed bipedalism or the ability to
walk upright
• Its brain size was estimated to be 35%
larger than the Australopithecus
africanus
• It had similar teeth compared to
Australopithecines, the close relative
species of humans
• Its diet included a variety of plant and
meat
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution

Homo erectus (1.9 million years ago)


• Further enhanced bipedal activities
• Strong muscles at the back of the neck,
shallow forehead, and elongated brain case
• Its diet included an increased consumption
of meat
• Body proportions closely resemble the
modern human’s (short arms and long legs)
• The hand axes, one of the major
innovations in stone tool era,
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution

Homo erectus (1.9 million years ago)


• They lived more on the ground and lost tree-
climbing adaptations
• Some paleoanthropologists use the term, Homo
ergaster for members of this group found
outside of Asia. A famous example of a Homo
erectus in the Peking man found in China.

http://www.ingridpitt.net/archaeology/peking-
man.html
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution

Homo sapiens (400,000 years ago to present)


• It had very large brains and an average brain
capacity of 82 cubic inches
• It was characterized by high, vertical
forehead, small teeth and jaw, and defined
chin
• It had a lighter skeletal built compared to
earlier humans
• It constructed and used tools for survival
• It developed a symbolic communication
system
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution

https://www.google.com.ph/s
earch?hl=en&biw=1236&bih=
557&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=hum
an+evolution+fossils&oq=hu
man+evolution+fossils&gs_l=
psy-
ab.3.0.0l2j0i24k1.106085.110
659.0.111834.23.22.0.0.0.0.1
67.2324.3j16.19.0....0...1.1.64
.psy-
ab..4.19.2319...0i67k1j0i30k1.
T1N889DT0UA#imgrc=hNS-
MKvwHoSOkM:
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution

What evidence do we have then


in knowing the human
biological evolution?

What are the significance of this


evidence in understanding the
evolution?
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution

Artifactual Evidence
are the only source of knowledge in
understanding the lifestyle and the
developments that occurred in each
transitional stage of human evolution

Give example…
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution

Artifactual Evidences that are important


in understanding evolution
• Fossils
• Tools
• Symbolic writing
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution

http://www.top10l
istland.com/top-
10-stone-age- http://ancient-history-to-
inventions/ 1800.blogspot.com/2010/10/old-stone-
http://www.gettyimages.com/event/links-in-the-chain-of- age-technology.html
human-evolution-541215023#fullscale-replica-of-the-skull-
belonging-to-lucy-the-32-member-of-picture-id94625630

https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa
=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=image
s&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwiw1KTasvbVA
hXEmZQKHeD8BakQjxwIAw&url=ht
tp%3A%2F%2Fhumanorigins.si.edu
%2Fhuman-
characteristics%2Flanguage-
symbols&psig=AFQjCNGB6GOpMEG
QJ8UmxWZreq_SBboExw&ust=150 https://www.pinterest.co.uk/explore/stone-
3888085634776 age-art/
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution

An antelope leg bone with


cut marks was recently
discovered in Africa. This
prehistoric tool served as
evidence for early hunting
practices and carnivorous
diet among early stone-tool
making humans,
http://www.thesubversivearchaeolo the Oldowan hominin
gist.com/2013/01/
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution

A cave discovered in
South Africa filled with
carbonized leaves and
grasses made
archaeologists believe
that cooking food was
practiced among early https://www.pinterest.com/patricecapps/type
humans. s-of-fossilization/
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution

Appreciating the Past through the Present


Is it impossible to delve in
the past without
recognizing our present?
UNIT 3: Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution

Appreciating the Past through the Present


It is important for modern humans to learn about their
origins and developments. Nowadays, technological
advances has made delving into the past more
accessible. Interactive and national museums, for
example, make great venues for learning more about the
prehistoric past. The great biological evolution that the
human species has been through is complex and
developmental. As human beings, we are called to
understand and appreciate these advances.
UNIT 3: Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution

Appreciating the Past through the Present


http://www.mirror.co.uk/t
ech/archaeologists-use-
pioneering-3d-scanning-
8131541

http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/ciencia/2014/08/15
05273-65279arqueologos-recorrem-a-drones-para-
explorar-e-proteger-antiguidades.shtml

http://imgur.com/gallery/lP1lz

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2015-
09/01/content_21764761.htm
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution
Cultural Evolution of Man

Cultural evolution explains the changes in the beliefs,


knowledge, customs, skills, attitudes, and languages of
humans over time. It proposes that as humans
transform themselves, their
culture becomes https://www.sapiens.org/evolution/homo-
sapiens-and-tool-making/
progressively complex
due to social,
environmental, and
biological factors.
Cultural Evolution of Man
Example:
Mobile phones became part of our
everyday lives. In a way, they represent
technological advancements due to
constant changes in their key features.
This evolution and development of
mobile phones only show how culture
changes through time. From the early
writings of the cuneiform up to the
present features of the different units of
smartphones and tablets, we can say
http://www.pinkjooz.com/index.ph
p/evolution-of-cell-phone/
that the way of life of people constantly
changes.
Cultural Evolution of Man

The cultural evolution of early


humans can be traced back to
the beginning of the Stone
Age when they started creating
and using tools made out of
stones. This is the earliest
known period of human culture
which started roughly 2-3
million years ago and ended
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/10921
2359692118702/ around 6000 and 3000 BCE
Cultural Evolution of Man

This period is also known as


the prehistoric
period because writing was
not yet invented during this
time. It is divided into three
separate periods:
1. Old Stone Age (Paleolithic), http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/artic
2. Middle Stone Age (Mesolithic) hunting-Ancestors-sought-homes-near-flood-
le-2521871/Prehistoric-man-went-HOUSE-

3. New Stone Age (Neolithic) plains-safe-rich-food.html


Cultural Evolution of Man

Paleolithic period
• first phase of the Stone Age
• started the creation and use of
crude stone tools which are the
most primitive among the three
periods.
• derived from the Greek
words palaios (old)
http://www.lookandlearn.com/blog/32 and lithos (stone) to collectively
026/the-best-pictures-of-stone-age-
hunters/ mean "old stone age."
Cultural Evolution of Man

Paleolithic period
• The early humans who existed during
this period showed their skills with fire
and stones that changed their diet and
food consumption.
• Hunting and fishing were the primary
activities of the early humans during the
Paleolithic period.
• They also had their religious rituals
based on nature and developed their
https://historiamolim6000.wor
dpress.com/tag/paleolithic- own language based on sounds and
age/ hand signals.
Cultural Evolution of Man

Mesolithic period https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esr


c=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwj3_6qjuvbV
AhVJFpQKHZbqAf0QjxwIAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fw
• second phase of the Stone Age. ww.askaboutireland.ie%2Flearning-
zone%2Fprimary-students%2F3rd-%2B-4th-

• the transition period between


class%2Fhistory%2Fthe-history-of-food-and-
f%2Fthe-stone-age%2Fthe-middle-stone-
age%2F&psig=AFQjCNGkghSxi4E9HtwEoKXAx-

the Paleolithic and Neolithic L4rAivYw&ust=1503890287512099

periods.
• derived from the Greek
words mesos (middle)
and lithos (stone) that
collectively mean "middle stone
age."
Cultural Evolution of Man

Mesolithic period
• Early humans during this period
gradually domesticated plants and
animals.
• They also started to form their own
settlements and communities.
• Hunting, fishing, and food gathering
were the primary activities of the
https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=
early humans.
s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwiEpcT-
uvbVAhWClJQKHZsgA2IQjxwIAw&url=http%3A%2F%2
• They also started to use microliths or
Fklejonka.info%2F2017mimage-mesolithic-
age.awp&psig=AFQjCNFu2CF7eKZvw2ORwwssh5xaC_
smaller and more delicate stone
qNyA&ust=1503890487557250
tools.
Cultural Evolution of Man

Neolithic period
• the last phase of the
Stone Age
• derived from the Ancient
Greek words neos (new)
and lithos (stone) that
collective translates to
"new stone age."
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/43727144504
7333782/
Cultural Evolution of Man

Neolithic period
• modern humans started to exist.
• they became food producers and
introduced the concept of farming
• became herders from being hunters
• crafted better stone tools and
invented the axe.
• Pots and jars were evident
• formed their permanent homes and
started to have their own tribes and
villages. http://emiyosiki.hatenablog.com/entry/20
121218/1355822558
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: The Neolithic Revolution

Neolithic Revolution
• The transition period
from being nomadic
to a newly found
lifestyle when
human started to
domesticate animals
and crops and form
a human civilization. https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwj4pYngvfbV
AhVHi5QKHQqJBtYQjxwIAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F438889926166425600
%2F&psig=AFQjCNGLnXKUSOCBsyx-utZLLX7yCK_HSg&ust=1503891264749190
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: The Neolithic Revolution

Neolithic Revolution

From hunter-gatherers or
nomads, people became farmers
through domestication, the
process of increasing human
control in breeding animals or
plants to regulate certain traits
that will make them useful for
http://schools.yrdsb.ca/markville.ss/projects/class
of2008/chong2/ortiz/Neolithic%20Revolution.htm
other human needs.
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: The Neolithic Revolution

Neolithic Revolution

The domestication of animals


and plants implied that humans
stayed in a particular area to
enable their resources to grow
and expand. Some plants and
animals utilized for
domestication included wheat,
barley, corn, nuts, cattle, goats, https://www.tes.com/lessons/A7kwX8-
and sheep. WEyzFNw/neolithic-revolution
Sociopolitical Evolution of Man: The Neolithic Revolution

Implications of the Neolithic


Revolution to the Evolutionary
Process

1. Sociopolitical Development
2. Economic Development
3. Biological Development
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: The Neolithic Revolution

Sociopolitical Development
• The Neolithic revolution paved the way for the creation of
civilization through permanent settlements dictated by reliable
food supply.
• Development in domestication techniques and practices allow
for a more complex society and the possibility for
urbanization.
• With the emergence of towns and cities came the birth of
trade and marketplaces. This led to the economy and a
hierarchical society with public leaders and castes.
• A form of social stratification was developed. This created the
idea of inequality and ideas of social power and influence
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: The Neolithic Revolution

Economic Development
• Because of the domestication of
crops and animals, abundant
supplies of food and resources
were maintained.
• A selective breeding process of
plants and animals that would
allow for the development of new
species was introduced.

https://eideard.com/2013/09/11/spread-of-farming-the-
origin-of-lactase-persistence-in-neolithic-age/
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: The Neolithic Revolution

Biological Development
• There was increase in lifespan
and human population across
civilizations.
• People learned to play
different social roles apart
from being farmers (e.g.
craftsman, priest, leader).
http://members.tripod.com/mr_sedivy/prehist
4.html
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: The Neolithic Revolution

Evidence for the Existence of the Neolithic


Revolution
1. There were morphological changes
among Neolithic people, including brain
size and mandible and simple dietary
changes from solely eating plants to
consumption of meat.
2. A subterranean structure in Abu-
Hureyra, Syria was found to have been
built during the Neolithic Revolution and
served as a communal storage facility. http://ancientneareast.tripod
.com/Abu_Hureyra.html
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: Early Civilizations and the Rise of States

The Rise of Civilizations


• The first civilizations
were found mostly in
Asia, particularly in China
and Mesopotamia, now
Iraq.
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: Early Civilizations and the Rise of
States
The Rise of Civilizations
• Mesopotamia was part of the Fertile
Crescent, an area in the ancient
Middle East that is believed to be the
“cradle of civilization” and the
birthplace of agriculture, urbanization,
writing, trade, and science due to its
fertile land area. This area housed two
bodies of water, the
rivers Tigris and Euphrates, which
were also valuable resources for the
early civilizations.
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: Early Civilizations and the Rise of
States
The Rise of Civilizations
• During these periods, civilizations
were mainly agrarian societies that
treated both genders equally as the
first labor only involved farming,
domestication, and harvesting.
• Social roles began to emerge, with
some members of the community
becoming priests or priestesses,
laborers, and farmers.
https://www.slideshare.net/dchess/ri
se-of-sumerian-city-states
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: Early Civilizations and the Rise of
States
The Development of States
In Mesopotamia, in the region of Sumer in
4,000 BCE, two significant developments
took place that influenced the flow of the
sociopolitical process of the early
civilizations.
These were:
• the rise of states, and
• the invention of writing

https://www.thinglink.com/scene/702918325952
315393
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: Early Civilizations and the Rise of
States
The Development of States
Historians believe that these developments occurred because of
trades among different regions. The early civilizations would have
had some form of writing to document or record traces of their
products and deals.

https://www.thinglink.
com/scene/70291832
5952315393
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: The Neolithic Revolution

The Development of States


Copper Age (5,900-3,200 BCE),
• the system of commerce grew with
prosperity, leading to the development
of cities and changes in sociopolitical
positions with some civilizations
promoting a kingship to replace
priestly rule.
• This era gave rise to numerous
developments such as the invention of https://www.123rf.com/stoc
k-photo/copper_age.html
the wheel and the transition from the
use of stone tools to copper tools.
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: The Neolithic Revolution

The Development of States

Bronze Age (3,000-2,119 BCE),


• copper instruments were replaced
with bronze tools. Along with this,
the rise of city-states continued to
flourish, thereby laying out a
foundation for economic and
political stability. As a result, more
empires, civilizations, and states
began to rise and develop. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/bro
nze-age-max-wagner
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: Early Civilizations and the Rise of
States
Implications of the Rise of
Civilizations and States

The rise of civilizations and states led


to urbanization, economic focus,
political power, and material
development. These changes allowed
both positive and negative
implications that directly affected
future developments in the
sociopolitical evolution of men.
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: Early Civilizations and the Rise of
States
Implications of the Rise of Civilizations
and States

1. Warfare: Conflict and wars emerged


among states as tension grew among
them. Soon, professional armies and
weaponry began to make their
appearance.

https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2016/02/29/
iron-and-empire-the-rise-of-assyria/
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: Early Civilizations and the Rise of
States
Implications of the Rise of Civilizations
and States

2. Metalwork: A huge development in


metalwork occurred along with the rise
of civilizations and states. During this
time, people began to discover various
raw materials, such as iron, copper, and
bronze for making tools and weapons.
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: Early Civilizations and the Rise of
States
Implications of the Rise of Civilizations
and States

3. Political system: Because of economic


factors such as trading, leadership
among city-states began to be more
organized and developed. With the
kingship system replacing the priestly
leaders, each state had its executive
http://ancientmesopotamians.com
branch that centralized decisions and /ancient-mesopotamian-
communications with other states. leaders.html
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: Early Civilizations and the Rise of
States
Evidence for the Existence of
Civilizations and States

• In 1922, archaeologist Sir


Leonard Wooley discovered the
remains of two four-wheeled
wagons that dated back to the
time of Mesopotamia.
• Excavations in the 1840’s
https://www.pinter
revealed human settlements in est.com/0xnnrzjvog
Mesopotamia during 10,000 BCE. kc7xf/leonard-
woolley/?lp=true
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: Democratization

Democracy and Democratization

Democratization refers to the spread or


expansion of democracy.

Democracy means "rule by the people."


The term comes from the Greek
words demos, which means "people,"
and kratos, which means "rule.”
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: Democratization

Democracy and Democratization

The form of democracy during 500 BCE in


city-states is said to be a form of direct
democracy where citizens participate
directly in decision-making. On the other
hand, the evolved form of democracy that
became widespread in nation-states is
where officials are elected to represent a
group of people.
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: Democratization

Historical Path to a Democratic City-State


1. Agricultural developments in Asia and
Africa eventually spread to the nearby
civilizations of Greece and Rome.
2. Both Greeks and Romans adapted to the
farming culture developed by the
Mesopotamians, even following the
sociopolitical structure of kingship.
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/
3. Eventually, they were able to engage in news-photo/queen-elizabeth-i-in-
parliament-16th-century-the-ancient-
trade as their resources highly developed news-photo/463995531#queen-
elizabeth-i-in-parliament-16th-
and impacted socioeconomic growth. century-the-ancient-chamber-of-
picture-id463995531
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: Democratization

Historical Path to a Democratic City-State


Greece
• Societal status and groups began to develop:
• the king (bearing the highest position in all
Greek city-states),
• the aristocracies and noblemen, then
• the farmers.
• Wars were already occurring between city-states,
and tension grew between social classes.
• Greek kings had growing ambitions to transform
themselves into wealth-laden rulers just like their
predecessors from the Bronze Age.
https://www.pinterest.com/erikajamerson/g
reek-democracy/?lp=true
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: Democratization

Historical Path to a Democratic City-State


Greece
• The need for power was not feasible as the
primarily abundant metal during the period
was iron, a relatively cheaper metal
compared to bronze. If the king sought
greater power, he would not be able to do
so easily since weaponry and machinery,
primarily made of iron, were much cheaper,
and could be afforded by practically anyone
http://jacksonmanngradesix.
weebly.com/monarchy.html
within the city-state.
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: Democratization

Historical Path to a Democratic


City-State
Greece
• In 750 BC, with high tension
and alarm over the
intentions of the king, the
noblemen gathered
together and ousted him,
leading to a successful https://stanfordfreedomproject.com/what-is-
establishment of the first freedom-new-essays-fall-2014/1601-2/
republics.
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: Democratization

The Beginnings of Democratization


Oligarchy
• Greek Kings were deposed by the noblemen.
• The form of leadership was changed
into oligarchy where rulers were from aristocratic
families.
• Because of inexpensive and accessible weaponry
and the ongoing wars between city-states, even
ordinary people like the farmers learned to arm
themselves and rebel against drastic changes. http://historywithalexa.weebly.com/his
tory-with-alexa/the-oligarchy-rules
• The oligarchic government ruled in favor of the
noblemen and aristocracies, so ordinary people
also used their collective power against an
abusive government.
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: Democratization

The Beginnings of Democratization


Tyranny
• Since there were few noble people in government,
city-states, in effect, were ruled by a tyrant, a
positive term for a Greek leader that means
“boss.”
• Tyrants became effective in ensuring fair
treatment for both land owners and farmers.
• For some time, peace and equality emerged
among social classes.
• In the second generation of tyrant rule, however,
the son of a tyrant made some wrong and https://www.haikudeck.com/greek-
vocabulary-education-presentation-
abusive decisions that eventually lead to another b2Me7GmaEA
revolution, ousting the tyrant rule.
Socio-Political Evolution of Man: Democratization

The Beginnings of Democratization


Birth of Democracy
• Because of the tyrant's abuse of power,
intelligent leaders of Greek city-states
proposed that power must be held by the
common people.
• This led to the creation of a more broad-
based constitution, eventually developing the
city-states to have a democratic setting.
• In 594 BCE, Solon gave Athens a new http://www.ancient
constitution. This event was considered as the .eu/solon/
rise of democracy in Greece.
Human Bio-cultural & Social Evolution
Importance of Artifacts in Interpreting Social, Cultural, Political, and Economic
Processes

Artifacts are objects made or modified


by humans in the past. They are
recovered after a long time through
archaeological endeavor or by chance.
A part from serving as windows to the
past, artifacts are also deemed
significant because they are tangible or
authentic proof that a certain period in
history actually occurred.

https://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=848689
Importance of Artifacts in Interpreting Social, Cultural, Political, and Economic
Processes
The Significance of Artifacts
• Artifacts have significant contributions in
interpreting social, cultural, political, and
economic processes that occurred in the past.
• Their existence proves and describes these
aspects thoroughly.
• The discovery of artifacts and the
understanding of various processes have
provided a stable foundation for the
socioeconomic, political, and cultural growth
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article
-3361241/UNESCO-museums-warn-
extremist-threat-Libya-artifacts.html that humans have come to recognize today.
Importance of Artifacts in Interpreting Social, Cultural, Political, and Economic
Processes
Examples of How artifacts impacted
various processes

1. Economic
The discovery of ancient cuneiform
writing lead archeologists to
discover that it was primarily
developed to create a long-
distance communication method
for trade and to account income https://www.google.com.ph/search?hl=en&biw=1088&
bih=490&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=ancient+cuneiform+tablet
s&oq=ancient+cuneiform+&gs_l=psy-

and losses during transactions ab.1.0.0l2j0i30k1l2.1556.1556.0.2618.1.1.0.0.0.0.20.20.1


.1.0....0...1.1.64.psy-
ab..0.1.19.d3wYx7V8wJ0#imgrc=LPgItoJ9ooQFtM:
Importance of Artifacts in Interpreting Social, Cultural, Political, and Economic
Processes
Examples of How artifacts impacted
various processes https://www.britannic
a.com/topic/Code-of-
Hammurabi
2. Political
The Code of Hammurabi, dating
back to around 3,000 BCE, was
discovered to contain 282 laws that
were set for all ancient people to
follow. Similar to today’s Philippine
Constitution, the Code became the
supreme law of Mesopotamia back
then
Importance of Artifacts in Interpreting Social, Cultural, Political, and Economic
Processes
Examples of How artifacts impacted various
processes
3. Cultural
The Manununggul jar was believed to be the
vessel of transporting the dead into the
afterlife. It always contained in its lid a boat
(balangay), a boat driver, and the soul –
three symbolic figures of the journey into
nature and death. With this culture, it was
found out that early Filipinos had a complex http://www.filipiknow.net/archaeolo
gical-discoveries-in-the-philippines/
king of culture ever before the arrival of the
Spaniards
Importance of Artifacts in Interpreting Social, Cultural, Political, and Economic
Processes
Examples of How artifacts impacted
various processes

4. Social
In West Asia, around 4,000 years
ago, nose piercing was considered
a status symbol wherein the size of
the ring depicted a family’s wealth.
Those who had bigger nose rings
were considered wealthier
Importance of Artifacts in Interpreting Social, Cultural, Political, and Economic
Processes
Importance of Artifact Preservation
1. Artifacts are irreplaceable. Artifacts, being
made hundreds, even thousands of years
ago, are very delicate objects that cannot be
replaced by any available material in the
present time.
2. Artifacts are keys to understanding the
past. Practices that occurred in the past
would not have been known if not for the
discovery of artifacts.
Importance of Artifacts in Interpreting Social, Cultural, Political, and Economic
Processes
Importance of Artifact Preservation
3. Artifacts give people a sense of identity. Artifacts
greatly describe culture and society. They provide
people with an opportunity to further understand
their identities and heritage, as well as some
collective qualities that their culture may have.
4. The past is yet to be fully discovered. Despite the
seemingly great successes archaeologists have made
in recent years, there is still more to discover about
history. Treating artifacts like pieces of puzzles will
eventually provide a general picture of the past.
Importance of Artifacts in Interpreting Social, Cultural, Political, and
Economic Processes

Present-day “Artifacts” for the Future


What artifact in the
present which you would
prefer to be discovered in
the future? Why?

You might also like