You can see the finger marks on the stomach and around the neck of this figure.
Last week my family and I visited the Field Museum in Chicago. We spent a lot of time in the fossil section. I come from a family who loves minerals and fossils of all kinds. I was the kid who destroyed her pockets in grade school because I collected so many rocks. My grandmother collected many wonderful rocks and fossils and I have the honor of housing half of her collection. We walked through the earth’s development and took many pictures of us standing next to some pretty cool bones. Among the things that struck me regarding human development was that homosapiens are the only creatures to bury their dead. Other creatures mourn their dead, but we are the creatures who care for and bury our dead.
Earlier in the day, we explored the Terracotta Warriors from China exhibit. I was blown away by the technique and attention to detail of each figure, but one figure stood out for me. This figure still had the finger marks of the craftsperson left in the clay body. I am sure this was done on purpose because it gave the impression of cloth on the figure, but this awed me. How long ago did this person work the clay? We are today witnessing to his or her life because of these simple finger marks left in the cay. All the figures were unearthed from the tomb of China’s first emperor, which was designed to carry him to the next world. I find it fascinating that the craftsman’s finger marks carry the craftsman into immortality along with the emperor.
Other culture’s burials may be less than opulent, but the fact remains, we humans care for our dead. This characteristic separates us from all the other creatures. Why do we do this? What purpose does it serve us? I don’t know the reason for sure. Maybe we won’t ever know. What is important is that this is a characteristic that separates us from all the other creatures that have lived and that do live on this wonderful earth.
Earlier in the day, we explored the Terracotta Warriors from China exhibit. I was blown away by the technique and attention to detail of each figure, but one figure stood out for me. This figure still had the finger marks of the craftsperson left in the clay body. I am sure this was done on purpose because it gave the impression of cloth on the figure, but this awed me. How long ago did this person work the clay? We are today witnessing to his or her life because of these simple finger marks left in the cay. All the figures were unearthed from the tomb of China’s first emperor, which was designed to carry him to the next world. I find it fascinating that the craftsman’s finger marks carry the craftsman into immortality along with the emperor.
Other culture’s burials may be less than opulent, but the fact remains, we humans care for our dead. This characteristic separates us from all the other creatures. Why do we do this? What purpose does it serve us? I don’t know the reason for sure. Maybe we won’t ever know. What is important is that this is a characteristic that separates us from all the other creatures that have lived and that do live on this wonderful earth.
Me and the dino.
RSS Feed