Mud Trays in Ancient Egypt

A crucial foundation for understanding the past is provided by archaeology. The artifacts offer pertinent historical data from the past that is essential for research. Evaluation of the situation allows for a past-to-present comparison. The report is used as a resource for upcoming tasks. The field of archaeology has the ability to boost a country's economy. The national revenue can be raised by donations to museums. They include resources that are crucial for the study of history. The goal of archaeological research is typically to address societal issues. Further, the archaeological research helps in identifying the reasons for the existence of the challenges and why they occur and the factors that cause them. A solution is sought to change the circumstance. Training more archaeologists will increase the research capacity. High level of training will speed up the process of collection of artifacts. These will provide a safe ground for preservation. Additionally, it will raise awareness in the communities to protect the cultural heritage. The standards of living in the surroundings will improve, and consequently, more money is channeled to protect the artifacts. Culture is a shared system of symbols, beliefs, values, attitudes, norms and expectations of behavior. In other words, history and culture are related and by the preservation of history, culture, on the other hand, is preserved (Mathieu 12). Learning about historical roots provides a basis of embracing the changes and in fact, allows us to appreciate the past.

Mud Trays in Ancient Egypt

The research was in Egypt along the banks of River Nile. In the study, the researcher was looking at the mud plates. The aim was to identify the significance of the plates to the Ancient Egyptians. The period of excavation was in January 2005.The research was continuous, and the data analysis of the results was in January 2010. In preparation of the mud trays, they adopted a standard procedure. First, they collected mud from the banks of the river, and then they checked the mad for similarity. It had to be similar in color, and there has to be consistency in odor (Ikram 46). The tools they used in the preparation of the trays are; a piece of wood and sharp stone. In preparation of the plates, the time taken is 15 to 20 minutes to prepare one plate. If the number of plates required is high, they come to a conclusion that many people develop them. The preparation of the tray was from unbaked mud that was on the river banks. Mineral deposits played a significant role in the procedure. The constant research took place on the banks of the river. In 1907 to 1908 the discovery of white jars played a role towards research. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in the year 2009 received a donation of the white jars. The preparation of the trays is in the area where they use them. They disposed them immediately after use. They collected the remains and put them in jars and the coffins.

Stone Boiling Maize with Limestone in Mesa

The research was in Cedar Mesa. The location is in the North of South Juan River in South East Utah. In 1970, it was carried out by Matson who found out a regular occurrence of burned limestone. The excavation was continuous to the year 2006. Data analysis was in the year 2010. The aim of the research was to determine whether cedar limestone located on the banks of the river can be a heating element for maize. In carrying out the study, they use the same procedures as those in ancient times. They boiled the maize using limestone. The objective was to test if it creates a cooking environment that is alkaline (Ellwood et al. 42). They find out that the environment enhances the availability of proteins. The conclusion they derive is that the alkali balanced the diet through the provision of additional proteins. Cooking of maize using alkali treatment of corn is still a preferred method around the globe. Most people still consume boiled and roasted corn; the ancient practices employed in Cedar.

Difference in methodology

The first experiment uses the quantitative approach. The method involves the use of numerical methods. They use numbers to estimate the time it takes to prepare one plate. During preparation of the plates, it took them 15 to 20 minutes to finish one plate. The approach is significant as it enables one to obtain accurate statistics concerning the number of people involved in the plates they prepare and the amount of time taken. The graphical representation of these results thus, makes it easier to understand and draw conclusions. One can determine the relationship between the output and input. In the second experiment, the approach is qualitative. In this method, one can obtain results without the use of statistical procedures. The researchers here use observation and testing. They test the stone boiling maize with alkali to determine if there are elements of proteins. There is less concern in the second study to turn the data into statistical representations. The methodology is useful. It helps them in finding connections and relationships in use of lime in boiling maize. It enables the participants to describe the views and understand the cultural and social backgrounds of the individuals.





The Role of Experiments in Understanding the Past

The tests are helpful for understanding the history. Through the study, one can understand the behavior traits of the people at that particular time. One can determine the type of food consumed by the people, the climate and the houses they lived. Understanding the past provides knowledge that can be used to change the future. Archaeology brings answers to questions. These will get lost if research is not conducted to provide answers. The experiments consider everything relating to the human past. The increase in population has resulted in the destruction of evidence for research (Whitehead et al. 56). The modern society is changing the way we are living. Fewer funds are available towards investigation and preservation of artifacts for future generations. The study helps one make informed decisions. Through archaeology, we learn about the lost civilizations and the victims of war. It gives people of the past a voice (Nami 37). Besides, understanding about our origins enables one to make informed decisions about the future.

Role of Ancient Technology and Limitation of Artifacts

Old technology is necessary compared to experiments on artifacts. It provides first-hand information about how life used to be. One can see the changes from the past to present. The survival techniques that were used by ancient people required a lot of patience. They had optimism that they could make things happen with so much little. In that case, we can embrace the past and appreciate life. On the other hand, we can relate history with science and geography. For instance, we can relate to modern day issues like global warming and why they are taking place. Technology makes work easier, but its role regarding effects on environmental degradation is huge. On the other hand, research on diseases and medication in the labs additionally receives more funding. The diseases were not there in the past. Most of them could be as a result of pollution and exposure to toxic substances. Through the study of the past, we can learn about how our actions affect the future. By appreciating the history, therefore, we can take the necessary steps towards living a sustainable life that protects the past, present and future. Most of the information obtained from the history is applicable in many fields. It helps people make adjustments that are vital towards protection of the community. The artifacts, however, have limitations in the sense that the results obtained from the research are not conclusive. The research is on past data and the evidence collected is already destroyed. The exact date of occurrence may not be precisely known. Carbon dating, on the other hand, may not be accurate because the materials change over time (Whitehead et al. 43). Despite the limitations, it is important as it helps one to have knowledge of how events happened in the past.

Conclusion

Archaeology is important towards the society. It provides vital knowledge that is valuable for research. It enables us to make comparisons from the past and the present. Previous comparisons can be used to evaluate the present and make predictions of the future. It has economic benefits in the sense that money raised towards the museums can be use finds a role in further research. It can create awareness in the society and make people make informed choices about life. More funds should be available towards the research as this will go a long way in benefitting the community and the world. The modern society is changing the values, systems and beliefs of people. Technology is eroding the roots of a culture that were symbolic and therefore, more funds availed towards scientific innovations compared to other fields is high (Marshall 120). Archaeology is significant as it establishes the cause of problems such as global warming and provides solutions.



Works Cited

Ellwood, Emily C., Scott, M. Paul, Lipe, William D., Matson, R.G., & John G. Jones “Stone-boiling maize with limestone: experimental results and implications for nutrition among SE Utah preceramic groups”. Journal of Archaeological Science, no.40, 2013, pp. 35-44.

Ikram, Salima “Mud Trays in Ancient Egyptian Mortuary Practices”. Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt, vol. 46, 2010, pp. 125-131.

Marshall, Alistair. Experimental Archaeology. Archaeopress, 2011.

Mathieu, James R. Experimental Archaeology. Archaeopress, 2002.

Nami, Hugo G. “Archaeology, Paleoindian Research And Lithic Technology In The Middle Negro River, Central Uruguay”. Archaeological Discovery, vol. 1, no. 1, 2013, pp. 1-22.

Roussin, Lucille “Review Of “Art And Judaism In The Greco-Roman World: Toward A New Jewish Archaeology” by Steven Fine”. College Art Association Reviews, 2010.

Whitehead, Paul F., Sacco, William K., Hochgraf, Susan B. et al. A Photographic Atlas For Physical Anthropology. Morton Publishing Company, 2005.