Archaeology gives us a better understanding of humans’ past historical events. It provides us with details of how people lived, their routines, rituals, culture and society. In addition, it helps is determining whether certain misconceptions about communities are factual or true. The integration of archaeology to anthropology is a way to gain more understanding of history. By studying past communities using their artefacts and structure, we gain more information on how we are similar to the past communities or the influences such history has on people descended from the same communities. A lot has been learnt by discovering ancient products and remains. Other archaeological findings have been a source of beauty with most being displayed in museums for educational tours. The following is a summary of an archaeological related paper that shows how these findings are used in cultural anthropology.
In the 16th century, the Aztecs and Incas were dominant societies that later succumbed to Spanish conquerors. Since this time, a number of scholars have wanted to study them and understand their origins. Archaeology helps them achieve this. The societies are referred to in different ways, including victims of colonialism, barbarians, and the authentic holders of native cults. Different exhibitions have represented the Aztecs and Incas civilisation. The projects discussed in this paper have different goals and used different strategies (Lau, 2003). Aztecs was one of the most anticipated events in the museums and included the greatest works of this community. It showed different items like cult activities such as masquerades and human sacrifices. The stone and ceramic monuments were displayed to mimic the capital of Aztec. Other displays included the Templo Mayor, where the Spanish leaders witnessed the priests releasing their sacrificial victims. By the time the exhibition closed, it had attracted nearly half a million people. Macho Picchu, on the other hand, displayed Inca civilisation. The exhibition did not include many monumental items like in the Aztec. The centre of attraction in the show was the archaeological remains by Hiram Bingham in his Peruvian expeditions. Macho Picchu was the palace for Inca leaders and the history of this community is a major attraction of tourists to South America. It gives a better interpretation and display of the archaeological materials related to Incas. The Aztecs show displays the items more like artworks and positions the items in strategic places like island cases (Lau, 2003). During these shows, there is minimal panel commentary giving the audience a chance to reconcile and distinguish the Mexican indigenous displays and the European ones.
Unlike Aztecs, Machu Picchu gives information and guides the audience through the displays. There is an introductory video that gives the audience information on the data and interpretation usage throughout the show. There is a room in the exhibition dedicated to paying tribute to Hiram Bingham since his Peruvian scientific exhibitions were the beginning of other multidisciplinary researches to the community. Other specialists in Biology and Geology followed. In this display, there include different materials to pay tribute to his research containing ceramics, skeletal materials, and other materials used in his research like diaries and photographic materials. There also includes documentary videos in the shows (Lau, 2003). Together with panel commentary, they are used tell the audience how specialists made conclusions about the remains leading to their closing interpretations. For instance, a look at the skeletal remains showed that the number of males and females in the burial sites was in similar proportions. The finding was a contradiction to an earlier finding that had identified the predominance of women, which was later interpreted as a convent for the state. Such analysis shed new light on the history of the community like the fact that women gave birth as shown by the child burials. In both shows, they show the elites’ lives in the communities. Aztecs show the community’s gods, the rites, and the paraphernalia used during such ceremonies. The Mach Picchu show also displays the lives of the nobles in the Inca community (Lau, 2003). During the exhibitions, designers attempt to recreate the original spaces, which are then filled with local sounds and images. Both shows are designed to appeal to tourists of different ages.
Anthropology intends to describe, compare, analyse and give explanations of different cultures. It is a way to understand different cultures and their development. The understanding of different cultures helps us in interacting with people of a different culture. During such interactions, it is better when a person understands where the other person comes from, their history, and how that history influences the people they have become (Josh, 2010). By conducting cross-cultural comparisons, differences and similarities are identified and analysed. That helps in the understanding of the human species and the integration and interaction of those communities. For instance, the comparison of the Aztecs and Inca help to understand these communities and their interaction with the Spanish leaders. It helps explain the different outcomes after colonization and how that affects the people of these communities today. Anthropology also includes the study of the evolution of species over time. That results in the development of scientific perspectives to explain human behaviour. That can also help in making predictions of future cultures. For instance, having studied the Inca and Aztec communities from the 16th century, it is possible to trace these communities in the 21st century and gather information on how they have evolved and whether they are still influenced by their history. That can be followed by a prediction of the future and whether the influence of history, if still present will still affect generations in the next centuries.
Anthropology has specialization areas including cultural, linguistics, and biological anthropology. Cultural anthropology is a study of societies and cultures. The paper discussed here is mostly focused on cultural anthropology. Archaeological materials were collected to help understand the Inca and Aztec communities. The materials were analysed by specialists of different fields comprising biology and geology before they made concluding interpretations. The materials help people who did not see this century understand and learn about their practices and behaviours. For instance, the shows display materials used in their rites and sacrifice ceremonies. With the help of modern technology, archaeologists can find out the day-to-day activities of these communities down to their special ceremonies like burials and rites. Such information is displayed in museums to inform people of their heritage and history.
Archaeology and anthropology give a person a wide range of career opportunities (University of Oxford, 2016). Together, they provide a chance to learn about humankind from different origins to the present day. It will help in the assessment of the importance of genetic and environmental factors and to understand the patterns of peoples’ growth and development. Additionally, the information will shed light on the main transformational processes in history like in religion, trading systems, and development of activities like farming. The integration of archaeology to anthropology is of importance since more information is gathered about different people with different histories. It can be used to create and interpret this information based on histories. That can help us learn about communities that have not been discovered yet or provide more information on those where there is little information. Cultural anthropology is very interesting in my opinion and it integrates well with archaeology. It is easy to learn about people’s cultures from the archaeological materials.
References
Josh, J. (2010). Importance of Archaeology. Retrieved from http://www.jagranjosh.com/articles/importance-of-archaeology-1286613270-1
Lau, G. (2003), Imperial Strategies: Consuming Aztecs and unveiling Machu Picchu. Anthropology Today, 19(5), 21–23.
