hist 100 db# 7 mazin

Description

For this assignment, choose one of the following artifacts to analyze. Your task is to examine the artifact’s historical, cultural, and social significance within the context of its civilization. Use the guiding questions below to enrich your analysis. You may use World History Encyclopedia, our e-text, and my lecture for sources. You must cite these.

Option 1: The Great Zimbabwe Bird Sculpture (Sub-Saharan Africa)

Description:
The Zimbabwe Bird Sculptures are a series of stone carvings found at the Great Zimbabwe ruins, dating back to around the 11th-15th centuries C.E. These bird sculptures, crafted from soapstone, are thought to symbolize the spirit of ancestors and convey a sense of protection or authority. Often found at sacred sites, these sculptures reflect the Shona people’s beliefs, their reverence for ancestors, and the role of spiritual symbolism within their society.

Option 2: The Aztec Sun Stone (The Americas, Pre-Columbian)

Description:
The Aztec Sun Stone, also known as the “Stone of the Five Eras,” is a massive basalt sculpture created in the 15th century C.E., just before European contact. This intricate circular carving represents the Aztec cosmology and their cyclical understanding of time. It features images of the gods, celestial symbols, and references to the four prior ages, with the face of Tonatiuh, the sun god, at its center. The Sun Stone reflects the Aztec beliefs about creation, destruction, and the role of human sacrifice in sustaining the cosmos.

Analysis Questions:

1. Historical and Cultural Context:
   • Describe the society and values of the people who created this artifact. How does the artifact reflect the religious beliefs, governance, or daily life of its civilization?
   • What events, achievements, or practices influenced the design and purpose of this artifact?
2. Symbolism and Significance:
   • Identify key symbols or figures in the artifact and analyze their meaning within the cultural context. Why would these symbols have held importance for the society that created them?
   • How does the artifact reflect the values or worldview of the Shona or Aztec civilizations, such as respect for ancestors, reverence for nature, or beliefs about time and the cosmos?
3. Role of the Artifact in Society:
   • Consider how this artifact might have been used or displayed. Was it intended for religious ceremonies, governance, or another purpose?
   • How might the artifact have shaped or reinforced community identity, unity, or cultural values?

Requirements:

• Write a minimum of 500 words addressing the questions above.