ASB 223 - Buried Civilizations of the Americas - Keith Kintigh

Activity #5 - Markers of Cultural Identity

Passed Out 11/20; Due 11/27

In this assignment, we want you to think about how cultural identities are signaled through objects and architecture. If you look closely at your surroundings, you will notice that in some situations objects and architecture are used to signal a recognizable cultural identity, such as "East Indian" or "Chinese". In other situations, objects and architecture may be rather neutral, not strongly expressing a cultural identity different than that of the dominant culture. You may also notice that culturally distinctive objects and architecture are not always associated with people of that culture; for example, Americans may own Chinese vases, or live in Tudor-style houses.

Keeping these points in mind, we'd like you to find examples of 3 situations in the Phoenix area:

    1)    An architecturally neutral building (a building that is not characterized by culturally distinct
           architecture) that contains a coherent set of culturally distinctive objects (that is indicating a
           single cultural identity).

    2)    A building with culturally distinctive architecture that contains culturally "neutral" objects.

    3)    A culturally distinctive building that contains objects of the same cultural affiliation.

NOTE: Your examples can be either public or private buildings. However, you need to provide an address or general location for each building that you discuss.

Once you have identified examples of these 3 situations, answer the following questions:

1. In a few sentences, name and describe each of your 3 examples.

2. In which of your examples do you think the cultural identity being expressed actually reflects the identity of the owner? Why do you think this? Why do you think the owners chose to express this  identity?

3. In which of your examples do you think that the identity being expressed does not actually reflect the true cultural identity of the owner? Why do you think this? Why do you think the owners chose to express this identity?

4. Which is a more reliable indicator of true cultural identity: architecture or objects? Why? Or is neither one reliable?

5. Based on your conclusions, how would you try to recognize cultural identity in the archaeological record? What types of data could you use to identify difference cultural identities?

Number each of your answers, rather than answering in paragraph form. Assignments should not exceed 1 page of typed, single spaced text.