For your Artifact Project Paper, you will need to achieve these goals:
1. Paper should be 5-6 pages long, . including the bibliography
2. Paper should describe the cultural context that the artifact was part of during the time of its manufacture and use. To do this you will have to utilize the identification provided (for example, Sican mask) and then do research on that culture/context (what is Sican? Where was the culture located? What time period? How was the society organized?)
3. Paper must utilize sources that extends our knowledge of the item beyond the artifact description provided on the DMA website
4. Paper should investigate the status of archaeological/historical sites in the presumed source area attributed to the artifact. Is this an area that has an active history of collecting and/or looting? Is it likely that the item was removed from an archaeological/historical site or context? If so, is there evidence of an active art/artifact market in this sort of item?
5. Paper should conclude with a discussion of the relevance of the item to art historical and/or archaeological knowledge. It is simply an artistic object, or does it have archaeological/historical importance?
This page limit includes the bibliography. PLEASE do not put your name and date in the header of each page, it just wastes the space you should use to show your writing brilliance. Introduction
Open with a statement about the importance of artifacts in understanding cultural histories, particularly within the context of Indigenous Arts of the Americas.
Introduce the “Seated Man with Hands on Knees” as an example of such an artifact, including its name, the museum collection, and a brief mention of its cultural affiliation to the Central Veracruz style.
Description of the Item
Detail the visual aspects of the sculpture: the posture of the seated man, the expression on the face, attire, and any notable adornments or symbols.
Discuss the medium, ceramic, and its significance in the context of Veracruz artistry, noting techniques that may have been used in its creation.
Likely Provenience
Explain “provenience” in archaeological terms.
Given the cultural style noted (Central Veracruz), discuss the geographical and cultural region associated with this style, including any known settlements or sites where similar artifacts have been found.
If there is no direct information on the exact provenience of this artifact, discuss the typical archaeological sites in Central Veracruz where such items might be discovered.
Artifact’s Provenance
Clarify “provenance” and why it is important.
Discuss the known provenance of the piece if available, such as its collection history, how it came to be at the Dallas Museum of Art, and any records of ownership or transfer.
If the specific provenance is not known, consider the general path such artifacts have taken from creator to museum, and the ethical considerations involved.
Cultural and Historical Identity
Delve into the broader cultural context: who were the people of Central Veracruz, what were their beliefs, social structures, and customs?
Discuss how this artifact might reflect aspects of the culture from which it originates, such as religious significance, social status, or use in daily life.
– Reference similar artifacts from the period and style to provide a comparative understanding of this piece’s role and significance.
Conclusion
Sum up the importance of the piece within the collection and what it contributes to our understanding of the Central Veracruz culture.
Reflect on the ethical implications of artifact collection and display, particularly concerning indigenous cultural items, in light of what has been learned about this piece.
References
Cite all sources used to gather information for your paper, adhering to the appropriate academic style guide.
Remember, the goal of this paper is not just to describe the artifact but to place it in its cultural and historical context, exploring its significance both as an object of art and a cultural document. Use a mix of scholarly sources, including archaeological reports, ethnographies, and art historical analyses to inform your writing.
As you write, ensure that you’re presenting original insights and interpretations based on the information provided by your sources and your visual analysis of the artifact. Avoid simply reiterating what has been said; instead, synthesize the information to present a comprehensive view of the item in its cultural and historical milieu.
Initial Research
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remojadas
(don’t use Wikipedia but use that find find other sources)
“In his 1957 book on Mesoamerican art, Miguel Covarrubias speaks of Remojadas’ “magnificent hollow figures with expressive faces, in majestic postures and wearing elaborate paraphernalia indicated by added clay elements.”[3]
(Above is discussing a very similar sculpture in the Metropolitan Museum of Art) “A large terracotta figurine of a young chieftain in the Remojadas style”
The Wikipedia page on Remojadas is summarized as follows:
Remojadas Culture:
The Remojadas culture, associated with the Classic Veracruz culture, flourished from approximately 100 BCE to 800 CE in the Gulf Coast of Mexico.
Research on the Remojadas culture is considered necessary.
Alfonso Medellin Zenil was instrumental in initial investigations during 1949 and 1950, but the site remains largely unexplored.
Remojadas Figurines:
Remojadas is renowned for its hollow ceramic figurines and pottery, which were unearthed in large numbers from various contexts such as burials and middens.
Figurines depict a wide range of subjects including deities, rulers, commoners, and animals like dogs and deer.
The figurines served multiple purposes and some functioned as musical instruments such as flutes, whistles, and ocarinas.
The Sonrientes:
The Sonrientes (smiling faces) are iconic figurines from Remojadas, known for their distinctive smiles on almost triangular faces.
Male Sonrientes are depicted nude or in loincloths, while females are shown in skirts, and both may have pectoral bands, necklaces, and headdresses with glyphs or animal motifs.
The prevalence of smiling figurines is unique in Mesoamerican art and their specific role in Remojadas society has been subject to speculation.
Cultural and Artistic Significance:
These figurines have artistic and cultural significance, with a style that has connections to Maya figurines.
Some figurines have filed teeth, which was a common practice in the culture.
Early figurines were handmade, while later ones were produced using molds.
For the ANTH 3390 Artifact presentation, focusing on this sculpture from the Dallas Museum, you could consider discussing the cultural significance, artistic style, and the social or religious role the figure might have played within the Remojadas society.
https://lammuseum.wfu.edu/2020/10/remojadas-bat-whistle/#:~:text=Remojadas%20was%20part%20of%20the,important%20center%20for%20ceramic%20production.
I provided the rubric for the presentation to assist with the paper.
Please find some more sources to assist in the construction of the paper and use reliable sources. Please don’t use AI or chat get sources because this will be turned into Turnitin.com. Please provide the turnitin.com report along with the similarity report. Please make it sound like a student at a four-year university.
PLease also go into more detail into the significant donors that we provided on the slides. use the slides as a way to assist your research and writing.
