Aztec Society and Ecological Factors
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Questions and Answers

What was one ecological factor that led to the Aztecs practicing cannibalism?

  • Abundance of domesticated animals
  • Excessive availability of crops
  • Insufficient wild animal population (correct)
  • Overpopulation of the Aztec society

Which event marked the end of the Aztec Empire?

  • The implementation of trade agreements
  • The establishment of the Spanish Inquisition
  • The arrival of indigenous tribes
  • The defeat by Hernan Cortes (correct)

Which of the following contributed to soil erosion within the context of ecological crises?

  • Decline in animal husbandry
  • Excessive agricultural practices
  • Increased population density
  • Deforestation due to logging (correct)

What is a consequence of the growing global connections mentioned?

<p>Escalation of global warming (A), Decrease in biodiversity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the Aztecs utilize captive victims in their culture?

<p>As sacrificial offerings (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of hunting and gathering societies?

<p>They practice a mobile way of life. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the subsistence strategy of pastoralists?

<p>They move with their herds to find grazing land and water. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of the shift to agriculture?

<p>Transmission of animal diseases to humans. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinct feature defines the culture of the Nuer people?

<p>A calendar strictly related to herding activities. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding the !Kung San of Kalahari?

<p>They need to gather enough food in one day for a week. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best summarizes the origin of agriculture?

<p>It originated in multiple centers independently. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does cultural ecology primarily study?

<p>The relationship between humans and their environment. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What technological methods were typically used in early agriculture?

<p>Simple technologies like digging sticks. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary argument of the ontological turn in anthropology?

<p>It critiques the uncritical use of Western ontological concepts in anthropological interpretations. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following theorists is associated with cultural ecology?

<p>Marvin Harris (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which fossil discovery challenges the idea that Homo sapiens evolved solely in East Africa?

<p>Fossils in Jebel Irhoud, Morocco (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT one of the four main ways humans adapted to various environmental conditions?

<p>Agriculture (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of humans being a successful species due to culture?

<p>Emergence of current global problems. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When did Homo sapiens expand to Eurasia?

<p>Approximately 125,000 years ago (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What technological advancement is linked to the early beginnings of culture?

<p>Manufacturing of stone tools (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the subsistence strategy based on herding domesticated animals?

<p>Pastoralism (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What method involves studying a single phenomenon across different locations?

<p>Multi-sited Ethnography (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which scholar's work inspired Tsing's approach to studying global phenomena?

<p>Marcus (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes postcolonial theory?

<p>A reflection on colonialism and its impacts. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Orientalism' refer to in Edward Said's analysis?

<p>The construction of the East as inferior. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to postcolonial studies, what is often a misconception about veiling?

<p>That it always signifies oppression. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following phenomena does Tsing relate to logging on Borneo?

<p>The interactions among various industries. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was one of the earliest exponents of postcolonial theory?

<p>Fanon (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concept does the term 'hybridity' in postcolonial studies refer to?

<p>A combination and mixing of cultures. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What circumstance did the captain NOT face during the expedition?

<p>Favorable wind conditions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Antonio Pigafetta contribute to our understanding of the expedition?

<p>He produced small dictionaries of local languages. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sources is NOT considered a classical source of ethnographic information about Southeast Asia?

<p>The Travels of Marco Polo (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to anthropological perspectives, culture is NOT characterized by which of the following aspects?

<p>Complete isolation in time and space (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What idea did anthropologist Arjun Appadurai develop in the mid-80s?

<p>The physical properties of objects define their meanings. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What challenge are modern museums facing today?

<p>Rising agitation for repatriation of artifacts. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which historical period did the interest in collecting items for European museums emerge?

<p>Enlightenment (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant role of travelers and scientists during the 18th century regarding collections?

<p>They collected examples of plants, animals, and artifacts. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason why the repatriation of tai moko has been significant for the Maoris?

<p>They believed it was important for preserving their culture. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the tsantsa from the Jívaro culture?

<p>They represent a ritualistic form of punishment among the Jívaro. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a fake from a fantasy object?

<p>Fakes are created to deceive, while fantasies do not intend to resemble the original. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one reason for the collection of human remains in the 18th and 19th centuries?

<p>To preserve cultures that were believed to be vanishing. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, what is one of its primary purposes?

<p>To allow tribes to receive their ancestral remains and artifacts back. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many museums in England hold human remains from overseas dating between 1500 and 1947?

<p>60 museums (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of fakes did the Jívaro create for tourists?

<p>Csantos or shrunken heads (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which group has noted that many of the human remains in collections have been acquired without consent?

<p>Indigenous cultures (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the term 'fantasy' when discussing cultural objects?

<p>They don’t aim to deceive and are not meant to look old or authentic. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many human remains in English museums are estimated to be from overseas?

<p>15,000 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Cultural Ecology

The idea that culture is a way for humans to adapt to their environment.

Ontological Turn

The argument that Western concepts of 'personality', 'soul', 'life', and 'death' were used uncritically in anthropology.

Sahelanthropus tchadensis

The oldest known hominin species, dating back 7 million years, found in Chad.

Stone Tool Manufacturing

A crucial step in the development of culture, involving the creation of stone tools.

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Non-biological Adaptation

Activities such as cracking nuts, chewing hard food, and scraping meat, which demonstrate early human adaptation to their environment.

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Human Colonization

The ability of humans to colonize diverse environments, from rainforests to deserts to high mountains.

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Pastoralism

A subsistence strategy based on herding domesticated animals, such as cattle, sheep, or goats.

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Culture as Adaptation

The idea that culture is a non-biological method of adapting to the environment, allowing humans to thrive in diverse conditions.

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Aztec Civilization

The Aztec civilization, known for its advanced culture and powerful empire, thrived in Mesoamerica from the 14th to the 16th centuries. They were renowned for their sophisticated social structures, complex religious practices, and impressive architectural achievements.

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Environmental Explanation for Aztec Cannibalism

The theory that environmental pressures played a significant role in the Aztecs' practice of cannibalism. The argument is that limited protein sources led to the consumption of human flesh as a survival strategy.

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Ecological Crisis

A significant ecological problem that arises from the overuse of natural resources and the depletion of natural habitats. It involves the loss of biodiversity, degradation of ecosystems, and the disruption of the natural balance.

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Five Minutes to Twelve

The idea that the current state of our planet, with its rapid environmental degradation and unsustainable practices, is approaching a critical point where irreversible damage may occur.

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Human Impact on the Environment

The overarching challenge that arises from the interaction between human population growth, resource consumption, technological advancements, and the resulting environmental impact.

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Hunting and Gathering

Way of life focused on hunting and gathering wild resources for survival. Typically involves small, mobile communities with minimal social hierarchy.

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Agriculture

The process of obtaining food through the cultivation of plants, often combined with animal husbandry (raising livestock).

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Animal Husbandry

A subsistence strategy that involves raising livestock as a primary source of sustenance, typically practiced either nomadically or in a settled context alongside agriculture.

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Industrial Food Production

The process of making food on a large industrial scale, often involving mass production, technological advancements, and large-scale distribution.

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Urbanization

The growth of cities driven by factors such as the rise of agriculture, which allows for higher population densities and a sedentary lifestyle.

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Zoonotic disease transmission

The spread of disease between animals and humans, often facilitated by close contact and proximity.

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Studying Global Connections Locally

How to study global phenomena by focusing on local connections, like tracking objects or people across various locations. This method emphasizes how things are interconnected through global networks.

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Multi-sited Ethnography

A research approach that follows a phenomenon across different locations, revealing its connections and complexities within a global context. It challenges the notion of isolated cultures and highlights interconnectedness.

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Friction (Tsing)

The idea that cultural interactions are influenced by diverse factors and often lead to clashes or tensions. It examines how cultural convergence and globalization can bring about conflict and resistance.

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Postcolonial Studies

A field of study that emerged from the decolonization movement, examining the legacy of colonialism and its ongoing effects, particularly on marginalized communities.

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Orientalism (Said)

A key concept in postcolonial theory, analyzing the Western representation of the East as a tool for asserting its own cultural dominance. It critiques the construction of stereotypes, creating a 'false' image of the East based on essentialism and othering.

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The Veiling as a Sign

The symbolic representation of the Muslim woman's veil as a sign of oppression, honor crime, and terrorism. This image often promotes a distorted and stereotypical view of veiling and its diverse meanings in different contexts.

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Beginnings of Veiling

The process of examining the origins and historical development of veiling, challenging its monolithic interpretation. It emphasizes the diverse cultural and historical contexts, as well as the individual choices and experiences of women who wear veils.

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Social Life of Things

The study of how objects and artifacts are embedded with meaning and how they move through societies, shaping cultural understanding.

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What is Culture?

The collection of customs, beliefs, values, and behaviors shared by a group of people and passed down through generations.

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Repatriation of Artifacts

The practice of returning stolen or looted artifacts to their original cultures and countries.

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Culture as a Process

The idea that culture is not static but constantly evolving and changing through interaction and exchange with other cultures.

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Enlightenment and Museums

The 18th-century period marked by scientific exploration and the collection of artifacts from around the world, which laid the foundation for modern museums.

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Cultural Interconnectedness

The idea that cultures are not isolated but interconnected and influence each other through trade, migration, and communication.

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Museums in the 21st Century

Museums are rethinking their role in a globalized world, responding to increasing calls for the return of artifacts to their rightful owners and confronting issues of cultural ownership and representation.

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What is a fake?

The intentional creation of an object designed to appear authentic, often for the purpose of sale, with the creator manipulating materials and style to mimic original traditions.

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Contemporary Production

Objects that adhere to traditional styles and materials but are made in modern times. These objects are distinguished from fakes by their honesty and lack of intent to deceive.

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Fantasy

A type of object that is created without adherence to traditional contexts and is not made to deceive. It is purely imaginative and individual.

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Repatriation of Human Remains

The process of returning human remains to their ancestral lands and communities.

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Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (1990) aims to inventory and identify human remains and artifacts, and then return them to recognized Native American tribes.

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Tai Moko

Preserved Maori heads, sometimes traded or even faked, believed to contain the spirit of the deceased.

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Tsantsa

Shrunken heads from the Jívaro culture, originally created as trophies of war, but later faked for tourists.

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Ndambirkus

Ancestral skulls from the Asmat culture, often faked, and valued by collectors for their cultural significance.

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Motivation for Collecting Human Remains

The motivation behind collecting human remains in the 18th and 19th centuries, stemming from curiosity and a desire to preserve vanishing cultures.

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Human Remains in Museum Collections

The presence of tens of thousands of human remains in museum collections, highlighting the ethical considerations of repatriation.

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Study Notes

Cultural Studies - Week 1

  • Cultural Studies is a discipline focusing on diversity in contemporary culture, such as power, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, race, and the human body.
  • It was developed by British scholars in the 1960s.
  • Key figures are associated with the Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies (Birmingham).
  • Traditionally, Cultural Studies draws on semiotics, Marxism, poststructuralism, ethnography, and cultural anthropology.
  • Anthropology is the scientific study of humankind's present and past.

Anthropology: A Short Introduction

  • Anthropology took shape in the 19th century.
  • Key figures include Tylor and Boas, despite the field being shaped largely by male scientists.
  • Notable female anthropologists in the US include Benedict, Mead, and Bunzel.
  • Anthropology was heavily influenced by colonialism.
  • Anthropologists often participated in colonial power structures.
  • Anthropological findings often resulted from colonial contexts.

Structure of Anthropology

  • A four-field approach was developed by Franz Boas and his students.
  • This approach includes biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology, archaeological anthropology, and cultural anthropology.
  • The fields draw upon field research.

Between Universals and Cultural Specifics

  • Humans share similar problems, but solve them differently in various cultures.
  • Culture universals are similarities in form, but their content varies across cultures.
  • Examples of culture universals include family systems, religion, magic, childbirth practices, death rituals, and body modification practices.

Cultural Studies - Week 2

  • Culture is a complex concept with many definitions used across a range of disciplines.
  • It is used in disciplines including anthropology, sociology, philosophy, media studies, psychology, literature, and musicology.
  • Culture as an activity focuses on values, ethics, aesthetics, and practices, such as rituals, art, music, and religious practices.
  • Culture as an entity is based on anthropology's understanding of culture as a tangible "thing" that people belong to.
  • Culture as a construct focuses on the subjective and constructed nature of culture.
  • Culture as an ontology emphasizes understanding different ways of being and relating to the world.

Cultural Studies - Week 3: Culture and Nature

  • Culture is a non-biological way of adaptation.
  • Some theorists view culture as a way humans adapt to natural conditions.
  • Examples include cultural ecology, ecological anthropology, or cultural materialism.
  • Culture is not just a set of behaviours or beliefs, it's fundamental to how people experience reality.

Cultural Studies - Week 4: Language

  • Language is a tool for communication, consisting of grammar and vocabulary.
  • Language likely evolved about half a million years ago, though the exact time is debated.
  • Language enables people to articulate language, enabling social connection.
  • Humans use about 16,000 words daily, approximately.
  • Language affects how people think, per the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis.

Cultural Studies - Week 5: Sex and Gender

  • Culture constructs differences between the sexes.
  • Biological factors (sex) and social factors (gender) contribute to gender roles.
  • Gender is a social construct and not entirely determined by biological sex.
  • Different cultures and societies have different ideas about what constitutes masculine and feminine behaviour and characteristics.

Cultural Studies - Week 6: Drawing as a Research Tool

  • Drawing is a tool for research.
  • Visual perspective has a history of use as a research tool, going back to Giotto.
  • Multiple perspectives can be used in drawings.

Cultural Studies - Week 7: Language

  • Photography and painting in anthropology were employed as research tools.
  • Anthropologists used photography to document traditions.
  • These methods help anthropology overcome bias in observation and comparison.
  • Cultural images and concepts can be described and understood visually.

Cultural Studies - Week 8: Globalization and Culture

  • Walpiri and media – Aboriginal Australians adapting contemporary technologies like TVs.
  • Globalisation is a process of constant change in cultures.
  • No culture is static; they constantly adapt and evolve.
  • There are no isolated societies.

Cultural Studies - Week 9: Globalization and Culture

  • Postcolonial studies examine the legacy of colonialism.
  • Postcolonial studies look at colonial power in the context of culture and its influence.
  • Colonialism’s effect is not only on politics, but it can also have an impact on society in a wider sense..
  • Orientalism is a western discourse on the ‘Orient’ that shapes how the west sees it.
  • The veiling of women is a powerful example of how the Orient is viewed.

Cultural Studies - Week 10: Culture

  • Who owns culture? This topic investigates ownership of cultural artifacts, and the history of objects.
  • Cultural artifacts can belong to different groups of people over time, and across cultures.
  • Cultural ownership of items can be complex.

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Description

Explore the ecological and societal factors that influenced the Aztec civilization, including their practices and the eventual collapse of their empire. This quiz covers concepts of subsistence strategies, ecological crises, and the impact of global connections on communities.

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