What is Material Culture? Key Words and Concepts
Ethnography
the method by which researchers attempt to understand a group or culture by observing it from the inside, without imposing any preconceived notions they might have
Archaeology
the study of the past based on what people left behind
Object-driven approach
An anthropologists approach to building a story around an object(s) perceived by who they're linked to
Object-centered approach
An archaeologists or historians approach to analysing one object, by using close visual analysis and building context from historical documentation
The Kula Cycle
Malinowski observed a series of rituals associated with the exchange of culture objects, which allowed for opportunities for different islands to exchange cultural objects, beliefs, and social interaction
The Life Cycle of Objects
Production, Consumption, Afterlife
Anthropology
Study of the origins and development of people and their societies
Material Culture
The study of material objects from past societies. Used by humans for survival, social, economic, or identity benefits. Further studies of the objects behaviour, rituals, usage, consumption, creation and trade.
