2. Introduction
Sociology is meant to be the study of
development, structure, and functioning of
human societies. In order to study patterns
of society, it is important to explore and
embrace our past. Throughout our
material, we have learned about patterns,
structures, and developments come in many
forms. We have read about “The
Untouchables;” people who are part of a
caste system in India. A system created
many centuries ago. We have watched a
video on “Honor Killings;” a cultural
cleansing from a centuries old custom. We
have learned about prejudice and racial
hatred. We learned the meaning of
xenophobia; a fear of the customs and
culture of people who are different from
ourselves.
So besides Sociology, what would be a
common thread between these different
subjects? To me, that thread is history,
society, and culture; the thread creates a
blanket that becomes Sociology.
As we know, not everyone is literate nor has
the world always used a form of writing to
convey societal structures. How did mankind
convey anything without using words? Art.
This is where I connect Sociology with the
unspoken world of societies. Whether it’s
prehistoric or modern, on canvas or cave, it
has a direct bearing on our past societies; how
humans cope, form groups, live and die,
communicate, convey ideas and beliefs, and
how we develop and change. If it not for the
collective efforts of many professions, some
important treasures of past society would be
torn down and replaced with something new.
It is my hope that by “teaching you
something,” I can give a glimpse into
individual agency and group expression
through the eyes of art. With this project, I
will focus on the recovery of antiquities,
restoration projects in the States, and
interesting prehistoric finds that have had an
impact on our understanding of how the
first societies developed.
3. Prehistoric Finds
With the discovery of prehistoric art Sociologists, Scientists, (Art) Historians, and researchers
have been able to follow migration patterns and formations of early societies, seeing when
changes took place. The Bradshaw Foundation is one privately funded non-profit organization
(BradshawFND, 2012) that has taken an interest in all aspects of prehistoric rock art. The web
site states that, “its main areas of focus are archaeology, anthropology, and genetic research, and
its primary objective is to discover, document and preserve ancient rock art around the world,
and promote the study of early mankind’s artistic achievements” (BradhsawFND, 2012). Why
is this important? Did you know that early man (Paleolithic through Neolithic Eras) revered
women as the most important instrument in sustaining life? These early eras were the
precursors’ to the dramatic shift in how societies took shape as humans graduated into the
Bronze Age. Preserving early rock art enables us to view how humanity shifted from the
unpredictable world of migratory lifestyles into an established self-sustaining community.
Cultures, norms, and customs of mankind were born during these periods.
4. This movie was created to show the wonders of early human society through their art and
expressions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kULwsoCEd3g
Explore this enormous cave for yourself.
http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/arcnat/chauvet/en
Photos are the exclusive property of Bradshaw Foundation photographers. Cave photos taken at the Chauvet Cave in
Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, France.
5. Preservation
Preservation does not always involve a museum-quality piece or an ancient archaeological dig
in a far off country. It’s happening right here in the United States. A local form of
restoration and preservation is called the Historic/Resident Curatorship Program and it is
being implemented all over the U.S. The focus of this program is preservation, renovation,
and upkeep of state owned historic homes. These are homes that often sit in state parks and
need extensive repairs. States cannot afford to rehab the homes and surrounding area, so
they qualify tenants to do the work for them, rent-free for an assigned number of years.
There are various homes available for this program, depending on the state, and each one is
in a various state of disrepair. People are qualified based on their ability to renovate,
experience with repairs, and financial situation; in other words this isn’t a project for the
faint of heart, financially strapped, or those who don’t know how to swing a hammer. The
Curatorship Programs have other requirements for tenants: a long-term lease (25 years is
standard with option to renew), a commitment to make the home available to the public a
certain number of days each year (it is a state owned park property, after all), a detailed
renovation plan and budget, and approval from the state historic board. This can be a win-
win situation for historic preservation. A tenant may invest as much as $150,000 into a
historic home, restoring the original charm, while living on beautiful scenic land sometimes
as large as 200 acres. The cash-strapped states reap the benefits from having homes
renovated and not being in charge of a museum that will cost taxpayers more money.
9. Recovery & Destruction of
Antiquities
“It’s like stealing history” (FBI, 2012).
That’s a quote on the web site of ACT (Art Crime Team); a branch of the FBI. As a matter of
fact, our FBI works internationally with other divisions at Interpol, Scotland Yard, Homeland
Security Investigations, the International Council of Museums, the United Nations
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as well as dozens of other
agencies. Thefts are logged into an international data base where they are kept until recovery.
Throughout history, mankind has taken upon themselves to be the most destructive force
against preserving societies cultures and treasures. This type of destruction doesn’t just
happen because of greed; it happens as a result of vengeance and war. It is an ancient practice
to pillage, plunder, and destroy during war; history is riddled with proof. Every race, every
religion, and every continent has been affected by destructive events such as this. World War I
& II, ancient Rome and Greece, the ebb and flow of Egyptian history gives story upon story of
culture lost. It is here that we see yet another devastation; the sacking of the Iraq National
Museum. With our American troops deeply entrenched in the Middle East, it is easy for most
to ignore another loss being felt in what is called The Cradle of Civilization.
The Iraq National Museum
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy_nlWu5VDw&feature=related
10. Theft isn’t always the work of a brazen thief from a
Hollywood movie. The most notorious thief was
none other than Adolf Hitler. His Nazi troops
helped themselves to every Jewish owned piece of
artwork, cataloging each piece.
Hitler Heist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeB2B9p29Co
11. Outcomes of War
Taliban destruction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ndNgeYMQU&feature=
Bamian, Afghanistan
Before (1931)
Modern day After
12. What if someone erased all existence of the Civil Rights movement? What would happen
if the Industrial Revolution never happened? Or the Italian Renaissance? What if
the Egyptians didn’t destroy every kingdom they conquered? Or the Romans and
Greeks hadn’t fought?
What if there was no art from history at all?
In order to better understand our future, we need to study our past societies.
Through art we learn about how earlier societies:
• …Mated and rituals.
• …What they loved and lost.
• …What they thought was beautiful and what they thought was not.
• …Their faiths and superstitions.
• …Changes in perceptions and environments.
• …What was important and what gave them joy.
In other words: what was important to societies and mankind.
13. References
Anthony Haden-Guest (Writer). Impression, Soleil Levant [Painting]. (1873). Retrieved 2012, September 15, from:
http://www.forbes.com/2001/02/28/0228connguide_4.html
[Before and After Photos]. Retrieved 12, 2012 September, from:
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/curator/
• BradshawFND. (2012). Bradshaw foundation. Retrieved 2012, September 15, from:
http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/about_us.php
• [Buddha Mountain Landscape, Image]. Retrieved 2012, September 15, from:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/8209530.stm
• Department of Conservation and Recreation, Massachusetts State Government. (2012). (2012, September 15).
DCR Historic Curatorship. September 15, 2012, from: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/curator/
• Federal Bureau of Investigation. (September, 2012). Art theft. 2012, September 15, from:
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/vc_majorthefts/arttheft
Higgins, D (Photographer). (2007). Like old [Photograph]. Retrieved 2012, September 15, from:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/30/garden/30curators.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all&_moc.semityn.www
Joe Medeiros (Writer/Director). (2010). Mona Lisa Missing Flyer [Image], Retrieved 2012, September 15, from:
http://monalisadocumentary.blogspot.com/2010/08/if-she-were-stolen-in-1980s-her-face.html
• Kahn, E. (2007, August 30). Nothing down, $0 a month, hammer required. Retrieved 2012, September 15, from
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/30/garden/30curators.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all&_moc.semityn.www
14. References
• Kirchem, Kraig. (2010, October 29). Hitler Art Heist [Video file] Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=SeB2B9p29Co
• Maynard Owen Williams (Photographer). (19310. Buddha Statue, Bamian, Afghanistan [Photo], Retrieved 2012, September 15,
from: http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photos/odysseys-photographs-gallery/#/bamian-
buddha_13348_600x450.jpg
• Riyadh34. (2009, December 1). Iraq’s National Museum is partnering with Google [Video file]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy_nlWu5VDw&feature=related
• Senkumar000. (2011, April 20). Why you did this. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=7ndwNgeYMQU&feature=related
• [The Louvre Museum Image]. Retrieved 2012, September 15, from: http://tzyyjiun0516.wordpress.com/mona-lisa/theft-and-
vandalism/
• Wanna Bite, Sweetie [Clear transparency]. (1974). Retrieved 2012, September 15, from:
http://www.lapdonline.org/art_theft_latest_news/art_theft_view/45088
• 60 Detectives Seek Stolen ‘Mona Lisa’ [Image]. (N/A, Archive Article). Retrieved 2012, September 15, from:
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F40D12FA3E5517738DDDAD0A94D0405B818DF1D3
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