“Artifacts of the Ancient World” Essay Example

dimple in the chin and the hair-line. Each span has twelve finger-breadths. All these measurements had to do with the religious aspects of Buddhism and the cosmic harmony measurements.The stele also represents the eight paths which are part of Buddhas first teachings.

The eight paths are as followed. 1. Complete or Perfect Vision, also translated as right view or understanding 2. Perfected Emotion or Aspiration, also translated as right thought or attitude. 3.

Perfected or whole Speech, this is also called right speech. 4. Integral Action, this is also called right action. 5. Proper Livelihood, this is also called right livelihood. 6.

Complete or Full Effort, Energy or Vitality 7. Complete or thorough Awareness, this is also called right mindfulness. . Full, Integral or Holistic Samadhi.

This is often translated as concentration and meditation of the mind. (2) These paths are virtues by which the Indians lived by while practicing Buddhism. So this stele best represents their major belief structure as a people and also as their religious icon. The second civilization to look at is China. China is the fourth largest country in the modern world, during the time of the ancients China was constantly fighting amongst itself.

There were many different states among the country that wanted to gain control over the others.This feuding also led to a large number of dynastic changes. There were a total of 15 major dynastic changes that went on throughout chine between 1700 BCE-1368 CE. The one dynasty that seemed most important to China was the Han dynasty. This dynasty reunited the separated states after the civil war. This dynasty lasted from around 206 BCE-220 CE.

Poetry,

literature, and philosophy flourished during the Han Dynasty. Confucianism was established as the basis for correct official and individual conduct and for the educational curriculum. Under Wudi, China regained control of territories. New commanderies were established in Korea, and contacts were made with the western regions of Central Asia.

The conquest of Ferghana and neighboring regions in 101 B. C. , which allowed the Han to seize a large number of the "heavenly" long-legged horses valued for cavalry maneuvers, also gave China control of the trade routes running north and south of the Taklamakan Desert. In return for its silk and gold, China received wine, spices, woolen fabrics, grapes, pomegranates, sesame, broad beans, and alfalfa.

(1) Of the artifacts in the museum that were made during the Han dynasty, there was a Chimera that seemed to represent the China ruled during that time. The Chimera symbolizes protection and was often placed onto tombs to ward off evil spirits. The Chimera best represents China, and especially the Han dynasty, because the Han Dynasty helped maintain and protect the fragile state of China. Without the Han Dynasty Chine would not be what it is today. The Han dynasty introduced Buddhism from India into China and brought about nothing short of a renaissance in China’s art world.Therefore the Chimera, or tomb guardian, best represents the people of China.

The third civilization is Japan. Japans artifact in the museum titled “Shukongo-jin” was created during the Kamakura period (1185-1133 CE). This particular statue represents the turmoil and warring that went on in Japan during that time. The Kamakura period was marked by a gradual shift in power from the nobility

to landowning military men in the provinces. This era was a time of dramatic transformation in the politics, society, and culture of Japan.

The Shogun government controlled the country from their base in Kamakura, near modern Tokyo.Because the emperor remained the head of state for Japan, he reigned while the shogun ruled. This created a two part government. For a small period of time after the Kamakura period, warring clans fought over territory.

This time of constant strife that lasted from 1336 to 1392 CE is known as the Nanbokucho period. Shukongo-jin is also known as the thunderbolt deity. He was the protector of the laws of Buddhism, which had made their way into Japanese culture from Chine which learned it from India. This statue would be placed at the entrance of most Buddhist temples.

The exaggerated features made it seem menacing and powerful. These features in the face can represent the turmoil that went on before the Zen and Buddhist movements. It was during these movements that these protective statues were used to guard these new found beliefs of peace and structure. Statues like these can still be seen all over Japan, and especially near Buddhist temples. The fourth civilization is that of Africa. African culture has deep and complex diversity.

Many of the artifacts left behind by the Africans represent the social status that was practiced amongst the people of Africa.Even more artifacts represent the spiritual forces that were believed in, like the creation of a mask to symbolize a deity or ancestor. The museum held one artifact that best represented African traditions and beliefs. The artifact was titled “Veranda Post of Enthroned King

and Senior Wife.

” This statue is a depiction of a king in a throne where his wife stands behind him. “He sits with a downward gaze and dangling legs, dwarfed by his crown, a spiritually charges accessory which his power is believed to reside.The regal female figure behind the king represents his senior wife, who uses political acumen and spiritual knowledge to protect his interests. ” (3) The people of Nigeria, in Africa, were called the Yoruba. The Yoruba believed in a numerous amount of gods, somewhere in the four hundreds.

These deities were nature spirits that were all around them. They believed in nature spirits because most of the Yoruba were farmers. These spirits and spiritual energy were given to the kings of the tribes and this power was stored in their crowns.This belief is the reason why the statue of the king and his senior wife is so important in representing the tribes of Africa and their culture and beliefs.

This statue shows their hierarchal system, religions beliefs and social status as well. Though the king may be in charge of the tribes, the woman represents the kings need for help from others. The Africans believed that not one man could do it alone and maybe that everyone needed to work together as a family to take care of everything around them. This also parallels into their polytheistic religions.

The final civilization is that of the Americas. In the North American Great Plains a group of Native Americans called the Cheyenne left behind an animal hide with a tribe of people on horseback painted on it. These Cheyenne warrior societies made these “tipi

curtains” to portray brave deeds and victory scenes. “The Cheyenne would also paint Horses in bold rhythmic patterns of color that line up on a flat surface” (3) The horses were given to the Cheyenne from the Spanish. This clash of cultures might explain why the Cheyenne creation myth is similar to that of Christian religions.They believed that Haemmawihio had created man from his right rib, and woman from his left.

“After Heammawehio had created man and woman, he placed the woman in the north to control of Hoimaha, who in turn controlled storms, snow, and cold, and was also responsible for illness and death. Heammawehio placed the man in the south to control the heat, and the thunder. Twice a year, the two battled for control of the earth, creating the seasons. ” (4) The Native American tribes were formed from northward traveling Mesoamericans.The reason the tipi curtain best represents the entire Mesoamerican and North American cultures, is because it depicts their animal of choice used for hunting and thus their means of survival. The tipi curtain also shows their means of transportation and how they would fight off enemies of the tribe.

Though some Native Americans were hunters and gatherers, some Native American people settled down and built permanent towns made of mud brick. These were artifacts that were also left behind, but the tipi curtain best represents the American culture as an art piece, a cultural symbol, and a social object.There is no doubt that these five great cultures left behind some amazing artifacts. The five artifacts chosen to best represent the civilizations are meant to inspire thought about how they lived,

what they believed in, and how they structured themselves. While all of these civilizations went through hard times there was always a period of peace where art and culture flourished, and that is when magnificent art and artifacts are created to help the future generations remember these great civilizations.