In Class Notes 9/25: Types of Analysis for Historical Artifacts Notes | Knowt (2024)

Analyzing Historical Artifacts 🏯

Types of Analysis

There are five types of analysis that can be applied to historical artifacts:

  • Political Analysis: Deals with power and the structures of that power, and how people interact.

  • Cultural Analysis: Examines meaning and representation.

  • Social Analysis: Focuses on structures, groups, and how society is held together.

  • Economic Analysis: Explores production, exchange, and consumption.

  • Gender Analysis: Examines difference as produced or codified in culture and expressed in social function.

Definitions

"Management of difference" - a key definition from Tash, referring to the way difference is produced or codified in culture and expressed in social function.

Example: Analyzing a Roman Temple

Type of Analysis

Questions to Ask

Political Analysis

How does the temple reflect the power structures of the Roman Empire? How do people interact with the temple?

Cultural Analysis

What does the temple represent in Roman culture? What meanings can be inferred from its design and architecture?

Social Analysis

How does the temple reflect the social structures of the Roman Empire? How does it bring people together?

Economic Analysis

How was the temple produced? What resources were required to build it? How did the Roman Empire finance its construction?

Gender Analysis

How does the temple reflect the gender roles and dynamics of the Roman Empire? Are there any representations of women or feminine figures in the temple?

Case Study: Peralta's Book on Roman History

Peralta's book is a remarkable example of how different types of analysis can be applied to historical artifacts. The book uses economic analysis to examine the construction of Roman temples, social analysis to explore how people interacted with the temples, and cultural analysis to understand the meaning and representation of the temples in Roman culture.

Key Takeaways

  • The Roman Empire's ability to field multiple armies of significant size was a key factor in its success.

  • The construction of temples during the Roman Republic was a significant undertaking that required substantial resources.

  • The temples played a crucial role in the social and cultural life of the Roman Empire, serving as spaces for people to connect and perform religious rites.

Image Analysis: The Tympanum 🏛

The tympanum is a semicircular arch above the entrance of a church or cathedral. In the Middle Ages, this space was often filled with intricate carvings or sculptures. Analyzing the tympanum can provide insights into the cultural and artistic values of the time period in which it was created.## 🏛 Medieval Pilgrimage Sites 🏛

Medieval pilgrimage sites were important destinations for Christians seeking spiritual enlightenment and forgiveness. Three of the most popular pilgrimage sites in medieval Europe were:

  • Jerusalem: Considered the holiest city in Christianity, Jerusalem was the ultimate pilgrimage destination.

  • Rome: The center of the Catholic Church, Rome was a major pilgrimage site, especially for those seeking to visit the tombs of saints and martyrs.

  • Santiago de Compostela: Located in northwest Spain, Santiago de Compostela was a major pilgrimage site, especially for those seeking to visit the tomb of Saint James the Apostle.

🚶‍♂ The Camino de Santiago 🚶‍♂

The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of Saint James, is a network of pilgrimage routes that lead to Santiago de Compostela. The route spans over 500 miles and takes several weeks to complete.

  • Starting points: Pilgrims can start their journey at various points, including Saint Jean Pied de Port in France, Saint Martin Cathedral in Tours, France, and Arles in southern France.

  • Route: The route takes pilgrims through various towns and villages, including Rolcewicz and Burwell to Leon.

  • Symbolism: The scallop shell is the symbol of Saint James and is often used to mark the route.

🏰 Vézelay Abbey 🏰

Vézelay Abbey, located in southeast central France, is a major pilgrimage site and one of the four great gathering places for pilgrims in France.

  • History: The abbey was an important center of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages, especially during the Crusades.

  • Architecture: The abbey features stunning figural sculpture and intricate carvings, including the famous tympanum.

📚 The Concept of Pilgrimage 📚

"Pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place as an act of devotion, penance, or spiritual growth."

Pilgrimage was an important aspect of medieval Christianity, allowing individuals to seek forgiveness, spiritual enlightenment, and connection with the divine.

  • Types of pilgrimage: Pilgrimage could be undertaken for various reasons, including:

    • As a form of penance for sin

    • To seek spiritual enlightenment

    • To visit the tombs of saints and martyrs

    • To participate in a Crusade

📝 The Significance of Relics 📝

"Relics are objects that are believed to have been in contact with a saint or martyr, and are therefore considered to be imbued with spiritual power."

Relics were an important aspect of medieval Christianity, allowing individuals to connect with the divine and seek spiritual enlightenment.

  • Types of relics: Relics could include:

    • Body parts of saints and martyrs

    • Clothing or personal items of saints and martyrs

    • Objects that had been in contact with saints and martyrs

🎥 The Movie "The Way" 🎥

The movie "The Way" (2010) is a heartwarming film that explores the concept of pilgrimage and the Camino de Santiago. The film follows a father who embarks on the pilgrimage after the death of his son.

  • Themes: The film explores themes of grief, spirituality, and self-discovery.

  • Accurate portrayal: The film is known for its accurate portrayal of the Camino de Santiago and the experiences of pilgrims.## 🏛 Byzantine Art and Architecture

Christ the Creator

In Byzantine art, Christ is often depicted with his hand raised, symbolizing his role as the creator. This image is accompanied by a Nimbus, or halo, which represents divine light.

The Mission to the Apostles or Pentecost

The scene depicted in the sculpture is open to interpretation. Some art historians believe it represents the mission to the apostles, while others see it as a representation of Pentecost, the event in which the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles.

"Pentecost is the most important Christian festival, as it marks the church's mission to spread the gospel to all nations and peoples."

The Importance of Pentecost

Pentecost is considered the most important Christian festival, as it defines the church's mission and purpose. It is a celebration of the church's role in the world and its responsibility to spread the gospel.

The Medieval Calendar

In the Middle Ages, the calendar was marked by religious festivals, including:

Festival

Date

Christmas

December 25

Epiphany

January 6

Lent

40 days before Easter

Easter

Movable date, typically in March or April

Pentecost

40 days after Easter

Michaelmas

September 29

Cultural Analysis

When a medieval person entered a church and saw this sculpture, they would be reminded of the church's mission and purpose. The image would serve as a reminder of the importance of spreading the gospel and the role of the church in the world.

Economic Analysis

The construction of a church like this would have required significant resources and planning. The production and exchange of goods and services would have been a major undertaking, involving:

  • Labor: skilled craftsmen, such as stonemasons and carpenters

  • Materials: stone, wood, and other building materials

  • Funding: wealthy patrons, such as nobles and bishops

The Role of Abbots and Bishops

Abbots and bishops played a significant role in the construction of churches and monasteries. They were responsible for overseeing the project and ensuring that it was completed in a timely and cost-effective manner.

"An abbot should leave his building better than his predecessor, adding at least one more tower or piece of sculpture to make the monastery look more like the kingdom of God."

The Benedictine Order

The Benedictine order, also known as the "black monks," was one of the oldest and most common orders in Western Europe. They believed in the importance of building and decorating churches and monasteries to create a sense of the kingdom of heaven.

The Cistercian Order

The Cistercian order, which emerged in the early 1100s, took a different approach to church building and decoration. They believed in simplicity and austerity, and their churches were characterized by a lack of decoration.

Order

Approach to Church Building

Benedictine

Emphasis on decoration and grandeur

Cistercian

Emphasis on simplicity and austerity

A social history analysis of a historical artifact, such as a church doorway, involves examining the social context in which it was created and used. This includes considering the social structures, groups, and relationships that existed at the time.

  • Use and Participation: How was the church used, and who participated in its activities?

  • Attendance and Obligation: What were the requirements for attending church services, and how often did people attend?

  • Social Spaces: How did the church serve as a social space, and who used it on a regular basis?

Social Group

Level of Participation

Frequency of Attendance

Peasants

Limited

Rarely

Nobles

High

Regularly

Clergy

High

Daily

Gender Analysis 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦

A gender analysis of a historical artifact involves examining how it reflects and shapes the social roles and relationships of men and women.

  • Women's Experience: How did women experience and participate in the church, and what did it mean to them?

  • Medieval Women and Religion: How did women relate to Christianity in the Middle Ages, and what were their roles in the church?

"Holy Feast and Holy Fast" by Carolyn Walker Bynum is a book that explores the importance of fasting and food in medieval women's religious practices.

Medieval Woman

Role in the Church

Importance of Fasting

Saint Catherine of Siena

Mystic and Devotee

High

Saint Hildegard of Bingen

Mystic and Writer

High

Nuns

Monastic Community

High

Political Analysis 🏛

A political analysis of a historical artifact involves examining the power structures and relationships that shaped its creation and use.

  • Power and Authority: Who had the power to create and control the church, and what were the power structures involved?

  • Local, Regional, and National Politics: How did the church reflect and shape local, regional, and national politics?

"The politics of the church involved a complex web of power relationships between local, regional, and national authorities."

Level of Government

Role in the Church

Power and Authority

Local

Builders and Laborers

Limited

Regional

Bishops and Nobles

Moderate

National

King and Church Leaders

High

The Catholic Church has a complex hierarchy, with different levels of authority and power. Understanding who answers to whom is crucial in analyzing the church's role in medieval society.

Abbots and Their Authority

  • An abbot is the head of a monastery or abbey.

  • Normally, an abbot answers to their archbishop.

  • However, some monasteries, like Cluny, have a unique charter that allows them to answer directly to the Pope.

"The charter he wrote for it, giving official permission to exist, said the abbot of Cluny only answers to the pope, which was kind of unique."

Cluny Monastery

Characteristic

Description

Size

Largest church in the West for a long time

Destruction

Destroyed in the French Revolution

Remains

Only part of a transept tower and a couple of pieces of wall remain

Charter

Unique charter allowing the abbot to answer directly to the Pope

Secular Lords and Church Hierarchy

  • Secular lords, such as dukes and counts, often have a significant influence on the church hierarchy.

  • Many church leaders, including abbots, are related to noble families.

  • This connection can lead to a blurring of lines between church and state power.

"The idea that the church hierarchy, the folks in charge in the church are not tied into the nobility... quite often, they'll understand, like, hey, we're part of the family."

Analyzing Power Structures

When analyzing a historical building or institution, consider the following questions:

  • Who is in charge?

  • Who do they answer to?

  • What is the structure of power and authority?

  • How does this relate to the broader social, economic, and cultural context?

By asking these questions, you can gain a deeper understanding of the complex power dynamics at play in medieval society.

In Class Notes 9/25: Types of Analysis for Historical Artifacts Notes | Knowt (2024)

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