The Penn Museum of Archeology and Anthropology - October 5th, 2011
The Penn Museum was the first of it's kind in the country to attempt to bridge the gap between the study of Natural History, and the study of the cultural development of the Human Race. The collections consist of artifacts which are neither purely artistic, nor scientific but which are often displayed for their aesthetic value or classified by scientific criteria. The most important distinction that the collections have is their relatedness within the realm(s) of social development. Through this presentation of Old World civilizations which were litterally dug from the earth, museumologists sought to re-create the evolution of human development. Like many Western institutions, the classification of civilization was modeled on the assumption that Western civilization took precidence over all others. As you enter the building, you are given the choice to proceed to the lower floors where the more 'primitive' cultures are represented; Native American, Asian, African and South American artifacts are represented as coming from more barbarous, or pre-historical sources. While on the upper floors you are invited to discover the progression of Western Civilization through a more historical and documented perspective.
The choice of objects on display also reflects their importance. The objects that define the lesser cultures are often everyday objects that involve the process behind basic survival. We are shown arrow-heads, and water jars and other utilitarian goods that represent a hunter-gatherer existance without evidence of higher thinking. Western Culture is defined by writing samples, architecture and artistic items that speak to the development of modern man up to the present. The institutional distinction betwween Anthropology and Biology seems clear. The more primitive cultures are identified with things that are more 'Natural'. The advanced cultures are identified by objects that represent modern intellect and human invention.
