ANTH 203 Conspicuous Consumption Review
What is evidence of burial consumption practices?
Ancient graves uncovered with grave goods in them.
Why is surplus associated with conspicuous consumption?
Conspicuous consumption typically yields a surplus of something: food (feasting), gifts and grave goods (burial), loss of human life (sacrifice)
What is evidence found of sacrifice?
Corpses found with no signs of trauma in holy grounds
What are some purposes conspicuous consumption may serve?
celebration/worship renewal of society demonstration of power or wealth
What is conspicuous consuption?
expenditure on or consumption of luxuries on a lavish scale in an attempt to enhance one's prestige
What are the types of conspicuous consumption?
feasting burial/mortuary practices sacrafice
What is Chicha?
fermented beverage made from corn or other grains in Central America used by the Inca during religious celebrations
Who was sacrificed?
Volunteers Enemies captured during battle
What was found at Cahokia?
stone tools courtyards and pathways mocking temporary streets mounds with skeletons from sacrifices wooden structural buildings this means it may have been the first city
Why would someone volunteer for sacrifice?
It is often considered a great honor which made you a martyr and guaranteed your afterlife
Who are Captain Cook and Keoua?
James Cook landed in Kealakekua Bay in the first even European interaction with Hawaii Keoua was the king at the time of his arrival, and greeted him with peace. Cook attempted to capture Keoua to negotiate for wood for his damaged mast.
What did people believe sacrifices did for them?
They owed the gods everything since they created everything They needed to keep the gods happy in order for good fortune They were afraid of certain natural disasters they believed were caused by angry gods
What are some reasons for feasting?
To create political alliances To display success
Why was an individual buried with grave goods?
To indicate their social status For the belief that it would help them in the afterlife A sacrifice of the living intended for the deceased in their afterlife For religious beliefs associated with the gods of death
What is evidence found of feasting?
Finding a high concentrate of cattle bones during certain times of the year.
What are examples of burial rituals that illustrate classes?
In Egypt the lowest classes were just embalmed and buried next to their houses The highest classes were mummified and buried in tombs
What is surplus?
material and non-material resources in excess of what is culturally defined as the current optimum supply
