The year is 3576. You are an archaeologist exploring the post-apocalyptic islandic wastes of St. Caroline. Your knowledge of early 21st century history tells you that St. Caroline was not always an island and it was not always a wasteland. Before the apocalypse of 2030, St. Caroline used to be part of a civilization called the United States of America. Specifically, St. Caroline is near the historical area in the United States once known as North and South Carolina. While exploring the island, you uncover an artifact that does not resemble anything you have ever seen before.
Your assignment is to “read” one (1) of the artifacts you have found and elicit the object’s meaning – that is, to tell your readers what the object tells you about the people who made and used the artifact. You will begin by choosing one (1) of the following eight objects pictured below. You are to assume you have no previous knowledge of the artifact [if an object is something with which you are familiar, please choose a different one – it is imperative for this exercise to be disoriented]. In fact, correct identification of the object will have no impact on your grade. That is not the intent of the assignment. Therefore, using Google’s photo identifier will not benefit you.
After careful examination of the object write an essay on what the object can tell us about the society that produced it. The object is mysterious, but you have managed to determine its size, shape, composition, and place of origin – this data may help your analysis. What is the object used for? What systems of knowledge, technology, and transportation are necessary to produce (from raw materials) and use such an object? How many people were involved in producing the artifact? Is the object useful by itself? What does the object say about the values/priorities of the society that made the object?
Object 1: Object 2:
Height: 1 ¼ in. (3.2 cm) Height: 10 in. (25.4 cm)
Length: 2 3/8 in. (6 cm) Length: 10 in. (25.4 cm)
Depth / width: ½ in. (1.3 cm) Depth / width: 10 in. (25.4 cm)
Weight: 0.4 oz (11.3 grams) Weight: 7.3 lbs. (3,343 grams)
Composition: Bronze Composition: Wood. Metal.
Origin: Middle East Origin: South Pacific
Object 3: Object 4:
Height: 7 7/8 in. (20 cm) Height: 2 ¾ in. (7 cm)
Length: 3 1/8 in. (8 cm) Length: 5 1/8 in. (13 cm)
Depth / width: 3 1/8 (8 cm) Depth / width: approx. 2 in. (5 cm)
Weight: 22 lbs. (10,048 g) Weight: approx. 1 lb. (453.6 g)
Composition: Metal Composition: Aluminum, brass, rubber
Origin: Eastern Asia Origin: Central Europe
Object 5: Object 6:
Height: approx. 4 in. (10 cm) Height: 3 ¼ in. (8.3 cm)
Length: approx. 1 ½ in. (4 cm) Length: 2 7/8 in (7.2 cm)
Depth / width: approx. 1 in. (2.5 cm) Depth / width: 3 ½ in. (9 cm)
Weight: 8 oz. (225 g) Weight: 0.5 oz. (14.25 g)
Composition: Iron or steel Composition: Limestone
Origin: Northern Europe Origin: Central Africa
Object 7: Object 8:
Height: approx. 5 ¼ in. (13.5 cm) Height: approx. 7 in. (17.75 cm)
Length: approx. 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm) Length: approx. 11 in. (28 cm)
Depth / width: approx. 3 in. (7.5 cm) Depth / width: approx. 4 in. (10.2 cm)
Weight: 12 ¼ oz. (350 g) Weight: 1 lb. 4 oz. (567 g)
Composition: Aluminum Composition: Steel
Origin: Eastern Europe Origin: South America
Expectations:
⦁ Please address these questions in a well-organized, thesis-driven essay of 1,000 words. Do not exceed 1,250 words. You must specify the name of the object (e.g., “Object 3”) of which artifact you have “read.”
⦁ You are not expected to do original research for this paper. Rather you are to “read” the artifact you chose carefully and provide an interpretation that squares with what you’ve learned from class lectures, and assigned readings. No other sources should be used for this assignment. There will be a one-letter grade penalty for using sources other than those provided in class. You are expected to
