World civilization Essay

The study of ancient civilization

The study of ancient civilization is crucial for informing current generations about human origins and methods of life in the past. Although some forms have been recorded, others have yet to be written about in books or kept in pertinent institutions like cultural museums. The majority of the knowledge is passed down orally from one generation to the next, and people frequently consult other people for historical perspective. Understanding the events is essential because it enables us to draw comparisons between the current and the past. Through learning, people can understand why preserving the history of the past is essential even in the present (Anastasia Edel 6).

In the past, for instance, people had objects they considered significant when conducting ceremonies and carrying out rituals

The objects were symbolic and would often be used on particular occasions.

Jewelry

Many countries used jewelry and ornaments before civilization. Egyptian jewelry has contributed significantly towards history and is still relevant to the present. In Egypt, the origin of jewelry is estimated to be more than twenty-five thousand years ago at the time of King Pharaoh. They would make a green stone which they would often put in the mouth of the Kings to restore speech in other worlds. One can learn that there was a variety of jewelry to be used for different occasions and functions, for instance, the bracelets were made of different colors to often show territories. They believed that the colors reflect the personalities of the people and therefore symbolism of colors was crucial in their lives (Anastasia Edel 6). Yellow, for instance, was associated with the sun and was used to make ornaments for the Pharaohs and the priest.

In burial rituals, they often believed in burying the dead with goods such as jewelry. Their culture had a belief that the goods were a necessity for the death in the afterlife. Though some changes took place, they believed that the gods would judge the dead and the bodies, if not buried properly, would rise after death. One can quickly learn that they strongly had a sense of the afterlife and reason why they respected the burial rites through the adornment of goods such as jewelry.

Calligraphy

The concept of calligraphy can be traced back to the Chinese civilization. It was a form of art through paintings that were often made using a variety of colors. The paintings were mostly used in wood objects, vessels, buildings, and other wood elements. The idea of paintings first began in the 960-1279 period of the Song dynasty. At the age, very few discoveries had taken place, and much of the work has often relied on the people who passed the knowledge to other generations. Writings had not been discovered, and therefore the work is not documented. The paintings were significant as they were used to express the status of an individual (Tylor). They, therefore, created room for boundaries and even with language barriers that still existed one could easily distinguish people who were considered to be of high value in society such as the leaders.

The paintings were also used to represent nature. It served as a tool for learning towards the society as people had knowledge of the role of the environment and the reason why it was crucial to be protected. The representation of nature is what has emerged into the modern painting style that is often displayed in educational facilities and monuments to educate people about the effects of deforestation that often result in adverse effects on the environment.

Pottery

Pottery played a key role in the ancient lives before the period of industrialization. The first evidence of pottery can be traced back to Japan during the period of 14920-16500. For the Japanese people, the pots played a pivotal role in their lives. The Jomon people of Japan are known to have made pots from clay which they used in the preservation of food. At the period of pottery, agriculture was evolving, and the people had to seek ways to protect the foods for long periods.

The pots were later used for different purposes, for instance, they learned that the pots could withstand fire and they used them to bake products such as bread. The pots, therefore, played a crucial role in predicting the feeding patterns and the type of food that people consumed during the period (Tylor). The advancements were important to educate the society about the means of survival that were used by the past people. In some parts of Japan, it served as a decorative element, and people often planted flowers in pots to display beauty in the houses.

Conclusion

The idea of civilization is crucial for modern-day learning. Many changes have taken place in society, and the reflections can only be visible through making a comparison of the past and the present. We live in a society that is always affected by the changes that take place as a result of competition for resources and history plays an essential role in educating people about how life was in the past.

Work cited

Anastasia Edel. “What to Read Now: When Civilization Fails.” World Literature Today 91.1 (2017): 6. Web.

Tylor, Edward B. Researches into the Early History of Mankind. New York, NY: Barnes & Noble Digital Library, 2011. Print.