Every piece of art or architecture has a story to tell. It may be a painting intended to portray the terrible lives of slaves in the US, or a statue erected of a king in order to worship him. The story explains who was affected, why a specific person may have been important, or even what was going on at that time in the culture from which it was made. Every person has their own story to tell and it may be expressed in many ways. The fact that some civilizations were advanced enough to make buildings using beams and lintels is very impressive, and we can see it by what remains of their civilizations. (Roth, 29)
Although we try to understand other cultures and civilizations, through anthropology for example, many things can be lost in translation. In order for civilizations rituals and practices to be understood, and anthropologist must spend months or years with the people. (Bates & Franklin, p. 21, Cultural Anthropology)
A vernacular structure, such as a teepee can be interpreted in multiple views. The people who live in the teepee may see it as useful in that it provides shelter from the weather, and safety from the outside. Other more civilized cultures, however, may view the teepee as a small, perhaps dirty space without many uses.
An ancient artifact, say a piece of pottery for instance, has the ability to open up new ideas about a culture. The artifact may have pictures on it, depicting a popular fable, or words to tell a story. We can also find when the artifact was used, what its uses were, and perhaps who used it. (Bates & Franklin, p. 29, Cultural Anthropology)
The cycle of the Earths seasons greatly affects architecture everywhere. In places where it is cold most of the time, they may use more insulation, or have fewer openings to the outside. In other places, however, where it is often warm, they may create many structures that, for example, don’t have walls at all, but the roofs are held by columns alone. (Roth, 98 - Temple of Zeus)
Although we try to understand other cultures and civilizations, through anthropology for example, many things can be lost in translation. In order for civilizations rituals and practices to be understood, and anthropologist must spend months or years with the people. (Bates & Franklin, p. 21, Cultural Anthropology)
A vernacular structure, such as a teepee can be interpreted in multiple views. The people who live in the teepee may see it as useful in that it provides shelter from the weather, and safety from the outside. Other more civilized cultures, however, may view the teepee as a small, perhaps dirty space without many uses.
An ancient artifact, say a piece of pottery for instance, has the ability to open up new ideas about a culture. The artifact may have pictures on it, depicting a popular fable, or words to tell a story. We can also find when the artifact was used, what its uses were, and perhaps who used it. (Bates & Franklin, p. 29, Cultural Anthropology)
The cycle of the Earths seasons greatly affects architecture everywhere. In places where it is cold most of the time, they may use more insulation, or have fewer openings to the outside. In other places, however, where it is often warm, they may create many structures that, for example, don’t have walls at all, but the roofs are held by columns alone. (Roth, 98 - Temple of Zeus)
Artifacts have the ability to tell a new story to those willing to research the time and place the artifact comes from. While the translation of the story may be misunderstood through multiple views that different researchers hold, all of whom have seperate beliefs and backgrounds, the story can still be told.
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