1. Why is Gobekli Tepe considered Mesolithic rather than either Paleolithic or Neolithic? View the
TED talk on YouTube: https://youtu.be/a2CDa5zRQR0
2. Why is the invention of pictographs (Bildzeichen) (mentioned in the TED talk) so important for
the acceleration of civilization?
3. In the Americas maize takes the place of wheat (which was brought over by the Europeans, and
was not available to the Indigenous Peoples in the Americas) but is never grown as the sole
crop. Why is that? What does this suggest about a requirement for Neolithic agriculture to be
successful? Please show some research to back up your thoughts.
4. When animals from two different species mate with each other, if there is a live offspring
produced (such as when a horse and a donkey are mated and produce a mule, or a lion and tiger
are mated and produce a liger or a tigron), the offspring are very often sterile (unable to produce
a baby). Mules cannot produce offspring either by mating with other mules or mating with a
donkey or a horse. Why is the existence of wheat considered to be a miracle?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Understanding Göbekli Tepe and Its Significance in Human Civilization
Göbekli Tepe, often referred to as the world’s oldest known temple, has been a focal point of archaeological interest since its discovery. This site provides critical insights into the transition of human societies from nomadic to sedentary lifestyles. The significance of Göbekli Tepe, the importance of pictographs, the agricultural practices in the Americas, and the unique nature of wheat are all interconnected facets of understanding our civilization’s evolution.
1. Why is Göbekli Tepe Considered Mesolithic?
Göbekli Tepe is classified as Mesolithic rather than Paleolithic or Neolithic due to its unique characteristics and the period in which it was constructed. The Mesolithic era, roughly dating from 10,000 to 5,000 BCE, serves as a transitional phase between the last Ice Age (Paleolithic) and the advent of agriculture (Neolithic).
Key Points:
– Construction and Context: Göbekli Tepe was built around 9600 BCE, at a time when hunter-gatherer societies were beginning to experiment with sedentism but had not yet fully transitioned to agricultural lifestyles. The monumental architecture and intricate carvings at Göbekli Tepe suggest a complex social organization that is more advanced than typical Paleolithic societies but predates the agricultural practices that define the Neolithic.
– Cultural Significance: The construction of such monumental structures indicates that these groups were already developing social hierarchies and communal rituals, which are indicative of Mesolithic societies.
The TED talk emphasizes that Göbekli Tepe challenges traditional views of human development, suggesting that complex spiritual or social structures may have preceded agriculture itself.
2. Importance of Pictographs in the Acceleration of Civilization
The invention of pictographs, or Bildzeichen, marked a significant milestone in human communication and the development of civilization. Pictographs are visual symbols used to represent objects or concepts, serving as precursors to writing systems.
Key Points:
– Communication Enhancement: Pictographs allowed for more sophisticated means of communication beyond oral traditions. They enabled the recording of events, transactions, and ideas, fostering more extensive social interactions and exchanges.
– Cognitive Development: The ability to visualize concepts through symbols encouraged advancements in abstract thinking and cognitive skills, which are crucial for problem-solving and planning.
– Cultural Transmission: By providing a means to document and share knowledge, pictographs facilitated the transmission of culture across generations, laying the groundwork for more advanced writing systems.
The TED talk underscores how this leap in communication was fundamental for organizing societies, establishing governance, and ultimately accelerating the development of complex civilizations.
3. Agricultural Practices in the Americas: The Role of Maize
In the Americas, maize (corn) became a staple crop but was never cultivated as a sole crop. This practice suggests important aspects regarding Neolithic agriculture.
Key Points:
– Nutritional Diversity: Indigenous agricultural practices emphasized biodiversity by growing maize alongside other crops like beans and squash (the “Three Sisters”). This polyculture approach provided a balanced diet and improved resilience against pests and diseases.
– Soil Health: Rotating crops and planting different species together helped maintain soil fertility and reduce depletion that can occur with monoculture farming.
– Cultural Practices: The integration of multiple crops reflects the indigenous understanding of ecosystem interdependence and sustainable farming practices.
Research indicates that diverse cropping systems are essential for long-term agricultural sustainability. According to studies in agroecology, monocultures can lead to increased vulnerability to pests and diminished soil health (Altieri, 1999).
4. The Miracle of Wheat
Wheat is often considered a miracle crop due to its unique characteristics that have enabled human societies to thrive. When discussing hybrids like mules or ligers, it’s important to note that these offspring are usually sterile due to chromosomal mismatches between the parent species.
Key Points:
– Hybrid Vigor: Wheat is a polyploid organism, meaning it has multiple sets of chromosomes. This genetic complexity allows for greater adaptability to environmental conditions and resistance to diseases.
– Reproductive Success: Unlike hybrids that result from mating two different species, wheat can produce viable seeds that propagate successfully. This capability has allowed wheat to become one of the most widely cultivated crops globally.
– Agricultural Impact: The cultivation of wheat has significantly contributed to food security and population growth throughout history, making it a cornerstone of many civilizations.
In conclusion, the examination of Göbekli Tepe, pictographs, agricultural practices in the Americas, and the nature of wheat illustrates the intricate tapestry of human civilization’s development. Each element plays a crucial role in understanding how societies transitioned from simple hunter-gatherer groups to complex civilizations capable of sustaining large populations through advanced agricultural practices and cultural innovations.
