Cultural artifacts include the ways of people’s productive activity, their works and deeds, which are qualitative in their kind and constitute value. The mask of Eternity and the didgeridoo are the two artifacts chosen as objects of study. The mask of Eternity is a cultural artifact created in China about 4,000 years ago (Melcer-Padon, 2018). Its author is unknown, peculiar to its mythological essence and mystique. The mask was found in the Warehouse near Ryukyu, and its cultural significance is difficult to overestimate (Melcer-Padon, 2018). This artifact represents the power of the Gods and the ability to slow down aging, which was the main desire of the emperors.
The didgeridoo is one of the most ancient instruments; however, the specific creation date is unknown. Its creators were Australian aborigines, and its cultural significance is particularly significant. This instrument was used in totemic religious rites to enter a trance state (Gunawan & Ribawati, 2022). Regardless of the physical differences between the artifacts, they share a common theme of human culture. The mask and the unusual musical instrument are expressions of culture, reflecting in their essence the result of the relationship between man and the world, a translation of values through the images and instruments that represent them.
The theme of human culture is directly relevant to my experience as I have witnessed theater productions and have taken music classes. This topic could affect the profession of historians since all historical events are essentially cultural artifacts. The identified theme can be researched and reinterpreted by history, allowing a deeper and fuller understanding of the cultural conditioning of human social activity and the determinism of human behavior by cultural context (Vessel et al., 2018). Thus, professional experience will undoubtedly contribute to understanding the context and establishing the connection of the era with sociological reality. At the same time, knowledge of the humanities can become a source of rational explanations based on cultural and archetypal manifestations of social consciousness.
In this study, three academic articles are used that share the level of reliability and specificity of explaining the material with historical facts using sociological elements. At the same time, the articles differ in the object of study, as they discuss various artifacts. However, all three sources were published less than five years ago and discussed a specific aspect of human culture, which makes them relevant and appropriate. The way of thinking consisted of searching for sources on keywords that the choice has fallen on those directly describing the chosen artifacts. There were no difficulties in the search because it was carried out with the help of an academic base, operating with precise phrases, which narrowed the search. Based on the conducted research and collected details, it is possible to form the thesis. The cultural artifact allows one to realize and explain the peculiarities of the individuals, as its characteristics embody the foremost cultural values.
The Mask of Eternity is closely related to the history of China, particularly the development of mythology. The control of time was the main desire of every Chinese emperor, and it contributed to the preservation of the mask, which endowed its owner with the magical property of negotiating with the god of time (Melcer-Padon, 2018). At the same time, the history of the didgeridoo instrument is no less fascinating. The most striking desire of peoples of past centuries was the knowledge of nature, and this historical feature has led to the creation of an instrument capable of imitating the sounds of the environment.
Even though the artifacts are united by the theme of features of human culture, they have numerous differences. For example, the Eternity mask has a pronounced symbolism, with engraved stars representing longevity’s value. At the same time, the didgeridoo has no pronounced symbols; this instrument was made for Australians by nature (Gunawan & Ribawati, 2022). Despite the differences in symbolism, the artifacts share a common meaning and purpose. Both artifacts were called to communicate with the gods or spirits, and their main essence consisted of magic and superpowers that an individual using an artifact received (Melcer-Padon, 2018). The creation of the didgeridoo was facilitated by the music necessary for the pagan ritual of Korobori. The ritual was accompanied by dancing and drumming, singing, and the low murmur of the didgeridoo, through which the creators tried to convey the sounds of nature, which were to be heard by the gods (Gunawan & Ribawati, 2022). At the same time, the creation of the masques was facilitated by literature, particularly mythology. The creators took the essence of the superpowers of the mythological gods and embodied it in the mask to convey the possibility of the existence of eternal life.
Thus, the information gathered can be useful to a wide audience among which it is possible to single out archaeologists, cultural historians, and historians. Their interest stems from the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the characteristic features of ancient cultures. Artifacts are evidence of a mysterious past, the knowledge of which is fascinating. Cultural artifacts are a broad topic with numerous facets, making it possible to adapt them to the needs of different audiences. It can be done by changing the formal details of the text, such as adding details such as Eternitas, specifics of Aboriginal beliefs, and details of imperial laws can make the text more narrowly focused and informative for the audience. The terminology and principles should not be too complicated to avoid over-explanation and ensure the data is directly communicated. To communicate effectively with the audience, rhetorical questions can be used, as well as visual aids that help to engage the audience and focus their attention.
References
Gunawan, R. P. T., & Ribawati, E. (2022). The conservative role of aboriginal wind of instruments. Santhet, 6(2), 179-184. Web.
Melcer-Padon, N. (2018). Creating communities: Towards a description of the mask-function in literature. Verlag.
Vessel, E. A., Maurer, N., Denker, A. H., & Starr, G. G. (2018). Stronger shared taste for natural aesthetic domains than for artifacts of human culture. Cognition, 179, 121-131. Web.