MST

• Cultural Heritage


  Encompasses tangible and intangible aspects passed down through generations
• Ethnocentrism


  Involves judging other cultures based on one's own standards
• Cultural Relativism


  Promotes viewing cultures as equal and respecting differences
• Tangible Heritage


  Includes physical artifacts like buildings and monuments
• Intangible Heritage


  Comprises non-material aspects like oral traditions and rituals
• Heritage Cycle


  Aims to preserve heritage for future generations
• Emic Perspective


  A perspective in research which uses an "insider's perspective" in studying behavior and cultural practices
• Etic Perspective

  An approach commonly known as the "observer's perspective" in studying a particular phenomenon or subject
• Historical Particularism


  An idea of Franz Boas which states that every culture is a product of its unique history and experiences
• Salvage Ethnography


  A form of research which aims to record cultures of groups to preserve their culture even after extinction of the group itself
• Individuals

  • Simon Thurley
  • Franz Boas
• Evolution


  The process of developing physical and biological change in a species over a period of time
• Early Human Survival


  • Primitive humans survived by continuously moving in search of food, leading to the "Out of Africa" theory
• Cultural Evolution


  • Involved the shift from stone to metal tools, impacting social lifestyle and communication
• Rise of Civilizations


  • Brought changes in trade, tools, and socio-political structures
• Artifacts


  Provide insight into the past, identity, and culture, aiding in historical understanding and preservation
• Biological Evolution


  • Human biological evolution is ongoing, influenced by environmental changes and adaptation
• Artifact Preservation


  Preserving artifacts is crucial due to their irreplaceable nature, historical significance, and ability to tell stories about the past
• Individuals

  • Charles Darwin
  • Herbert Spencer
  • Cleisthenes
• Homo Habilis


  • Developed bipedalism or the ability to walk upright
  • Brain size was estimated to be 35% larger than the Australopithecus africanus
  • First user of stone tools
• Homo Erectus


  • Further enhanced bipedal activities
  • Characterized by strong muscles at the back of the neck, shallow forehead, and elongated brain case
  • Homo erectus Diet included an increased consumption of meat
• Homo Sapiens


  • Average brain capacity of 82 cubic inches
  • Characterized by high forehead, small teeth and jaw, and defined chin
  • Constructed and used tools for survival
  • Developed a symbolic communication system
• Lower Paleolithic


  • Included the Oldowan hominins who used flakes and stones
  • Earliest stone tools were developed by the Homo Habilis
  • The development of Acheulian tools (such as hand ax) took place during the time of the Homo Erectus
• Middle Paleolithic


  • There were more developed stone tools
  • Homo neanderthalensis were prominent users of stone tools
  • The period is characterized by Mousterian tools that are known for their sharp edges
• Upper Paleolithic


  • Tools were designed with more intrinsic designs
  • This period is associated with the emergence of Cro-Magnon Homo Sapiens
  • Tools included sticks, sharp blades, harpoons, and spearheads made with the "punch blade" technique
• Mesolithic


  • Smaller and finer tools were used
  • Blades were incorporated in wood or bone
  • There was evidence of trading between groups to gather materials for tools
• Neolithic


  • This period was characterized by the domestication of crops
  • The period cemented trading practices and opened new doors for the development of new tools
  • This period officially ended hunting gathering practices
• Neolithic Revolution


  • Facilitated an economic and societal shift that paved the way for further developments in early human lifestyle
  • Advances in different aspects of human life started during this era
• Social Implications of Neolithic Revolution


  • The Neolithic revolution paved the way for the creation of civilization through permanent settlements dictated by reliable food supply
  • Development of domestication techniques and practices allowed for a more complex society and the possibility for urbanization
  • A form of social stratification was developed
• Economic Implications of Neolithic Revolution


  • Because of the domestication of crops and animals, an abundant supply of food and resources was maintained
  • Introduction of a selective breeding process of crops and animals that would allow for the development of new species was developed
• Human Implications of Neolithic Revolution


  • There was an increase in human population and life span across civilizations
  • People learned to play different social roles apart from being farmers (e.g., craftsman, priests, leader)
• Rise of Civilizations

  • The first civilizations were found mostly in Asia, particularly in China and Mesopotamia
  • In Mesopotamia two important developments happened: 1. The rise of states, 2. The Invention of Writing
  • During the Copper Age (5,900-3,200 BCE), the system of trade grew in prosperity leading to the development of cities and changes in socio-political positions with some civilizations promoting a kingship to replace priestly rule to be able to foresee the flow of trade and negotiations with other regions
• Implications of the Rise of Civilizations and States

  • Warfare: Conflict and wars emerged among states as tensions grew among them. Soon, professional armies and weaponry began to make their appearance
  • Metalwork: A vast development in metalwork occurred along with the rise of civilizations and states. During this time, people began to discover various raw materials, such as iron, copper, and bronze for making tools and weapons
  • Political system: Because of economic factors such as trading, the leadership among city-states began to be more organized and developed. With the kingship system replacing the priestly leaders, each state had an executive branch that centralized decisions and communications with other states
• Significance of Artifacts


  Artifacts provide insight into the past, identity, and culture, aiding in historical understanding and preservation
• Economic Impact of Artifacts


  • Archaeologists determined that cuneiform writing was primarily developed for long-distance trade communications and accounting income and losses during transactions
• Political Impact of Artifacts


  • The Code of Hammurabi, dating back to around 3000 BC, was discovered to contain 282 laws that were set for ancient people to follow. Like today's constitution, the Code became the supreme law of Mesopotamia back then
• Cultural Impact of Artifacts


  • In the Philippines, the Manunggul jar was believed to be the vessel to transport the dead into the afterlife. The artifact always contained on its lid a boat (balangay), a boat driver, and the soul—three symbolic figures in the journey towards nature and death
• Social Impact of Artifacts


  • In the Middle East, around 4000 years ago, nose piercing was considered a status symbol wherein the size of the ring depicted a family's wealth. Those who have bigger nose rings were considered wealthier
• Africa


  • Archaeological research supports Africa as the birthplace of human evolution. The "Out of Africa" theory suggests a linear progression from Australopithecines to Homo sapiens, with East Africa being the likely origin
• South Asia


  • Recent discoveries of artifacts dating back to the Lower Paleolithic Period in South India support the notion that primitive humans reached South Asia over a million years ago, aligning with the "Out of Africa" theory. The findings indicate eastward migration driven by hunting and gathering