M3 Assignment: Museum Exhibition

Danyaal Pandit

For my virtual dig, I chose the technology theme. In general, the term “Technology” is a term used to
categorize objects that have been created to help achieve a goal. For example, the technology of an axe
allows to achieve the goal of cutting or splitting a log of wood. However, the theme technology goes
beyond the being able to achieve a goal. Technology allows to achieve a goal in an efficient manner.
Going back to the example of cutting/splitting a log of wood. In theory, the log of wood can be cut or split
without an axe. However, it may me extremely difficult and inefficient to do so. The axe allows the wood
to be cut in an efficient and easier manner. I chose the theme of technology because without technology,
civilization would never be able to advance at an exponential rate it does. The theme technology is a very
important theme that allows us to live in a more advanced/better society, because we find objects that
perform a goal more efficient and easier. I believe it is important to understand the theme technology
because it helps us understand the how of how civilizations have evolved.

The artifact presented to the right is a Mace Head. Found in the Upper Zab River
Valley, it is been estimated that this artifact is from 2700-2600 BCE (Succession). This
artifact was used to inflict an effective strike by swinging it at the opponent (. The
importance of this artifact for technology is it made the military more effective. The bare
fists of a human would not give as effective of a strike to the opponent. The Mace Head
propelled the military into a more efficient way of fighting, which is why the Mace Head
is significant regarding technology. Mace Head

The artifact presented to the right is an Axe Head. Found in the Upper Zab River
Valley, it is been estimated that this artifact is from 2350-2150 BCE. This artifact was
used as a tool as well as a weapon (Succession). The Axe Head could help perform
various tasks such as digging trenches, cutting wood, etc. The importance of this artifact
for technology is it made tasks easier and quicker to do. Digging a trench would be
difficult to do with bare hands and would not have results as good as an axe. Additionally,
it would take a person longer to dig with bare hands vs. using an axe. Axe Head

The artifact presented to the right is a Spear Shaft Terminal. Found in the
Lower Zab River Valley, it is been estimated that this artifact is from 900 BCE.
This artifact was used by warriors to increase their accuracy of shooting a spear
(Succession). The importance of this artifact for technology is it made the act of
shooting an accurate shot easier to do. Without this artifact, warriors would have
had a difficult time shooting accurate, and would they would not been able to
advance their effectiveness when in combat. Spear Shaft Terminal
 The artifact presented to the right is a Stamp Seal. Found in the Diyala Plains Tell,
it is been estimated that this artifact is from 600-500 BCE. This artifact was used to create
objects by pressing the Stamp against the clay to form (Succession). Almost like a present-
day cast mold. The importance of this artifact for technology is it made the process of
creating objects quicker and easier, with better accuracy. People did not have to spend
hours forming objects from scratch. Instead, they could press the Stamp Seal against the
clay, and form the object quickly. Stamp Seal

The artifact presented to the right is a Tax Receipt. Found in the Lower Zab
River Valley, it is been estimated that this artifact is from 1634 BCE. This artifact was
used to keep track of which citizens have paid taxes to the kingdom, and which citizens
still needed to pay (Succession). The importance of this artifact for technology is it
made it easier and more efficient to know who has paid/not paid their taxes. Without
this technology, the kingdom would lose track of who’s paid taxes, and who they
needed to follow-up on. Tax Receipt

The artifact presented to the right is a Spindle Whorl. Found in the Diyala
Plains Tell, it is been estimated that this artifact is from 2900-2600 BCE. The
artifact would fit on a spindle wrapped with fibers to spin quicker (Succession). The
importance of this artifact for technology is it made the process of creating fabric
quick. More fabric to be produced in a lesser amount of time, and without it, would
not have allowed clothes to be produced at a mass-level. Additionally, the clothes
would not cost as much because of this increase in productivity of fabric producing. Spindle Whorl

Bibliography

“Succession of Civilizations.” Virtual Dig,

bbaddins.schoolcraft.edu/addins/hist134/captivates/M2_Dig/index/html.