Archaeology can give objective insights into the question of national identity Discuss.

Authors Avatar by fezzerhead (student)

Thomas Hill

“Archaeology can give objective insights into the question of national identity”

Archaeology is an incredibly powerful means of showing national identity. It can give people an understanding about their past and also their cultural heritage. But this can be used in both positive and negative contexts including propaganda.

The reign of the Nazi powers in Germany shows the extent of what Ultra-nationalist believed. Nazism advocated the supremacy of an Aryan master race over all other race. That they where the defenders of Western Europe. Nazis viewed the progress of humanity as depending on the Aryans and believed that it could maintain its dominance only if it retained its purity and instinct for self-preservation. They used archaeology as propaganda. The swastika, a symbol meaning well-being was adopted by and associated with the Nazis but Earliest archaeological evidence of swastika-shaped ornaments dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization of Ancient India as well as Classical Antiquity. Swastikas have also been used in other various ancient civilizations around the world. It remains widely used in Indian religions, specifically in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, primarily as a tantric symbol to evoke 'shakti' or the sacred symbol of auspiciousness. The swastika is also a Chinese character used in East Asia representing eternity and Buddhism. To the peoples of these religions and cultures today, the swastika is a part of their national identity. But also did it represent national identity to the people of Nazi Germany in the late 30’s and early 40’s. 

Join now!

In Egypt The Rosetta Stone is requested by the Arab state to be repatriated but many westerners believe that how can Arab Egyptians claim artefacts back when they've got so little in common with ancient Egyptians. But Egyptians say that most precious archeaological items were taken under colonial rule, when the British and French were in charge. So what rights did London or Paris have to take objects back to their countries?  Modern Egyptians, even if they have so little in common, culturally and genetically with ancient Egyptians, feel that what the ancient Egyptians created and what culture they ...

This is a preview of the whole essay