Sculptures

For centuries, artifacts have been used for communication. They are physical objects that express one’s values and beliefs to the world that can’t be expressed in words. Sculptures, a type of artifact, were created as significant pieces of art that hold symbolic meaning. Artifacts can work as communication in cultures and can help us interpret history of civilization. “They are important to scholars for the role they play in reflecting a society’s level of technological development and aesthetic taste, among other things” (Berger). Similar to other types of nonverbal communication, artifacts are different in each culture.  

Flags are artifacts that represent different countries around the world. The American flag is only a symbol of our country and probably doesn’t have much meaning to other countries; however, in America our flag symbolizes freedom and democracy. After 911 people all over America put out flags to show their support for our country. It was a symbolic gesture showing other countries that we stand united; together. The American flag is a symbol of the USA and it represents our morals and values. Our flag has much history behind it giving it more of a sentimental importance. It has changed over the years as America has grown but has never lost its patriotic image.

Some of the most notorious artifacts in this world are sculptures or landmarks. Not only have been around for hundreds of years, but they have made a huge impact on culture and society. Some hold so much value, that they are historical landmarks in certain countries, for example, The Pyramids of Ancient Egypt. They were “built as tombs for Kings (and Queens), and it was the exclusive privilege to have a Pyramids” (Pyramids of Giza). The Pyramids have significant meaning behind them and their reasons for being built.

These Pyramids were built to last forever, and have proven to do just that. The “Egypt’s pharaohs expected to become gods in the afterlife” (Handwerk) so they built these temples that were massive tombs equipped with everything that a “ruler would need to guide” (Handwerk) them into the next world.  These artifacts represented their spiritual beliefs and helped us better understand Egyptian civilization.

Other artifacts that were created by the Eyptians were hidden in their tombs. Inside these tombs contained tomb art that were “depictions of ancient farmers working their fields and tending livestock, fishing and fowling, carpentry, costumes, religious rituals, and burial practices” (Handwerk).

Artifacts are expressed not only by the clothes you wear, or the desks you sit at, but by objects that have symbolic cultural meaning. They help “sociologists and other social scientists, as well as culture critics” (Berger) understand their society. They also give us “other aspects of material culture to important insights into values, beliefs, and ideological aspects” (Berger). Artifacts play a significant part in our daily lives.

 By: Leigh Blanchard


Works Cited:

Berger, Arthur A. "Artifacts." Http://www.communicationencyclopedia.com/public/. Ed. Wolfgang Donsbach. Blackwell Publishing Inc., 2008. Web. 5 Dec. 2011. http://www.communicationencyclopedia.com/public/tocnode?id=g9781405131995_yr2011_chunk_g97814051319956_ss56-1.

Handwerk, Brian. "Giza Pyramids Hold Pharaohs' Ancient Secrets -- National Geographic." Science and Space Facts, Science and Space, Human Body, Health, Earth, Human Disease - National Geographic. National Geographic Society., 2011. Web. 05 Dec. 2011. http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/archaeology/giza-pyramids/.

"Pyramids of Giza, Pyramids Facts." Egypt Travel Information Egypt Trips/Tours to Egypt/Egyptian Tours/Trip Advisor/Travel Deals/New Year Tours/Travel Advice. Ask-Aladdin., 2011. Web. 05 Dec. 2011. http://www.ask-aladdin.com/pyramid.htm.