Statue of Augustus as Pontifex Maximus – Palazzo Massimo, Rome
A basic object study examines the shape/size, find spot, and context of an object/structure and seeks to understand what it tells us about the Roman worldview. A successful critical object study includes a description of the object but must involve research and critical analysis of evidence beyond just observing the object itself. In this object study, therefore, I am asking you to apply what you know about essay writing and develop an introduction with thesis statement/key argument that clearly states the point of the evaluation, paragraphs with arguments, and evidence in support of the thesis, followed by a conclusion. The point of an object study is to situate your object in its historical and archaeological context, which means providing sufficient background to the culture and explaining how the object fits into this or how it exemplifies a historical and/or archaeological development.
1. Provide a basic object description (roughly 1 page):
date of the object (if known)
location where the object was found (if known)
name / identification of the artisan / craftsman (if known)
location of manufacture (if known)
type of object and material used to construct it (some examples below – not an exhaustive list)
military
domestic
religious
economic
2. Discuss the purpose or meaning of the object (the core of your paper, around 2-3 pages):
We study material culture to gain an understanding of past cultures. Describe the purpose of your object in the society for which it was made and used. In other words, you are contextualizing your object. Each object in these studies is Roman. Ask ‘from what part of the empire did this originate?’ You will need to discuss the historical, cultural and/or archaeological significance of your object with respect to the people who created, used, and/or viewed it.
3. State of current scholarship and relevance to current scholarship/study (concluding paragraphs, around 1-2 pages):
What has been discovered in the current scholarship about the object thus far? Try to highlight the most recent scholarship on the object. Here, you will discuss what you feel is important about the object you have chosen, what story needs to be told about it and why.
You should cite at least two books and two academic journal articles in each of your papers. And then 2-3 other sources.
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