The Growth of Different Cultures
The growth of different cultures has often been marked by a significant increase in the degree of complexity as well as the subsequent functioning of human populations when opposed to their previous phases. The evolution of humankind's productive capacities is a dialectical cause and result of changes in people's technology, material culture, life, social culture, philosophy, and intelligence, which shows distinct primitive characteristics of ancient civilizations as compared to more advanced societies. The text intends to explore Etruscan Funeral art and general Funeral art in revealing their aesthetic significance as well as their role in reflecting civilizations.
Etruscan Funeral Art
Linguistically notable by 7000 B.C., the Etruscans were a unique ancient culture found in Italy. The Etruscans were a society obsessed with religion and subsequently a preoccupation with the world of the dead, a factor that resulted in their significantly elaborate funeral practices. Etruscans believed that death was essentially a journey to one’s afterlife. They thus dreaded the idea of neglecting the dead as they could turn out to be malevolent (Bonfante, 1986). As a result of such beliefs, particular care, lavishness, and solidity went into the construction of their tombs. It was intended that their dead would enjoy the ambiance and pleasure of their dwelling after their death, thus choosing not to haunt those who are still alive (Brandt et al., 2016).
Etruscan Funeral Decorations
Among the decorations that adorned the sarcophagi of the Etruscans included human sculptures with unique natural poses. Cremation practices were equally common, and burial urns or canary were used in the storage of remains. Pots were made with particular styles such as biconical or miniature (hut) styles as well as canopic types that had human heads or figures on lids. In addition to the urns or sarcophagi were other burial items intended to assist the dead in their afterlife (Brandt et al., 2014).
Etruscan Tombs
The majority of the tombs were similar to houses in appearance and were characterized by elaborate decorations and furnishings that were both reproduced and real in miniature. The Regolini-Galassi Tomb (found in Etruria 1837) that is almost intact is a good illustration of a typical Etruria tomb from the sixth century (In Carpino et al., 2016). Within the tomb were gold artifacts, bronze, jewelry, a nobleman's throne, a chariot, and pottery. Scenes of daily life detailed on the walls indicated either the most important moments or the points of their death. Etruscan tombs thus reveal the religious and cultural heritage of the people.
Modern Funerals
In today's societies, funerals are often religious services that are characterized by processions heading out to the crematory or a cemetery. A belief service then takes place before the cremation or the burial of the body. The majority of funeral services are in most cases held in mortuaries, churches, or chapels. Embalming of bodies is done in a bid to be preserved until the time of cremation or burial. Bodies are placed in coffins/caskets before being buried. It is often important to get a burial permit before a body is buried. Flowers may be used to adorn the gravesite at the time of burial or in later instances during the visit to the graveyard by friends or relatives (Walter, 2012). Many religions wear black during funerals to show mourning and to show respect for the dead. Muslims often make an effort to bury their dead promptly. The Muslims have the bodies of their dead buried with heads facing towards Mecca. Muslims discourage mourning during death as they believe God's will be accepted without fuss. Hindus, on the other hand, adorn their dead with flowers and perfume, burn them, and proceed to dispose of the ashes in the Ganges River. Other religions and communities of the present time take part in various rituals during the burial of their dead. All modern communities of the present time believe in the existence of the afterlives.
References
Bonfante, L. (1986). Etruscan life and afterlife. A handbook of Etruscan studies. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 5-7.
Brandt, J. R., Roland, H., & Prusac, M. (2014). Death and changing rituals: Function and meaning in ancient funerary practices.
In Bell, S., & In Carpino, A. A. (2016). A companion to the Etruscans.
Walter, T. (2012). Why different countries manage death differently: a comparative analysis of modern urban societies. The British journal of sociology, 63(1), 123-145.
