Each era is characterized by significant artifacts that help understand different civilizations, their interests, beliefs, and resources. The representatives of the ancient world believed in the afterlife and the importance of the human soul to be pure and dignified (Mark, 2012). Therefore, many artifacts are usually covered by mystery, inequality, and burial practice. The funerary mask of King Tutankhamen was created in the 14th century BC (www.ancient-egypt-online.com). It perfectly represents the characteristics of this era, pursuing the purpose of protecting the deceased ruler and recognizing the body by his spirit after death. The creators used this artifact to underline the importance of spiritual transition, and the choice of gold as its material proved the existing inequality in social statuses.
During the Middle Ages, many civilizations underwent considerable religious, social, and political changes. Attention was paid to the role of churches in human life. Thus, it is not a surprise to see different cathedrals as the major artifacts of the chosen period. The Notre Dame Cathedral Paris is probably one of the most famous medieval buildings that modern people can see today (www.notredamecathedralparis.com). Its creation was initiated by King Louis VII and lasted about three centuries. This construction did never have one particular purpose because all its developers and contributors wanted to see the cathedral as a symbol of the country’s political, economic, and religious power. The Middle Ages were associated with a continuous distribution of authorities, and I believe that this artifact proved the intention of the French leaders to demonstrate their global recognition and strengths.
With time, people became obsessed with investigating the world and its secrets. Italian Renaissance Art was rooted in human knowledge and the worth of the universe-human connection. “The Vitruvian Man” is a well-known work by Leonardo da Vinci at the end of the 15th century (www.leonardodavinci.net/the-vitruvian-man.jsp). The painting introduces a male figure inscribed in a square and a circle in two different positions of his arms and legs. It seems that the author created this artifact with a variety of purposes in mind. It was not enough to create a work of art but to unite the elements of biology, geometry, science, and architecture. This artifact was crucial for da Vinci, as well as for the whole Renaissance epoch, as it showed the changes in the environment, education, and even personal identity.
Reply to Jonathan Burnham
Dear Jonathan,
Your post attracts my attention because of your analysis of the artifact related to King Tutankhamun. I also chose this great ancient figure for evaluation but focused my discussion on his funerary mask. What I want to say is Tut’s artifacts say a lot about the culture and lifestyles of the ancient world. Compared to the Middle Ages or the Renaissance epoch, where the goals were to impress and control societies, ancient people pursued individual purposes like protection, convenience, and faith. All these differences stemmed from knowledge, social interests, and even international relationships. I think that the worth of artifacts may be increased if people address their creative expression to represent their lives, find connection, and support each other.
Reply to Jenny Fultz
Dear Jenny,
Thanks for your post and an opportunity to learn more artifacts from different epochs in this module. Your choice of the Parthenon, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Charters, and “David” by Michelangelo proves the differences between the offered subjects in terms of their content, material, and purposes. The Parthenon does not have complex constructions, which may be explained by the access to resources, but its architectural refinements cannot be ignored. The Cathedral differs from the Parthenon in many things, stemming from the beliefs and achievements of the locals. The Renaissance artifacts like “David” become true symbols of nations. I think that these objects show how human creative expression may elevate humanity. It does not matter if it is a building with several columns, a high-tech construction, a painting, or a sculpture. If the creator properly defines the purpose and delivers the message to people, any project can become a meaningful artifact with time.
Reference
Mark, J. J. (2012). Shabti dolls: The workforce in the afterlife. World History Encyclopedia. Web.