Blog Post #4: What makes Gilgamesh a hero

In movies, a hero is typically depicted as an extraordinary person who has exceptional strength, courage, nobility and is admired by a great mass of people for some incredible deed such as saving mankind. However, in reality, heroes are quite common. They are the ones who put their life at risk every day for our safety such as soldiers, police officers, doctors, firefighters, or simply a father in a child's eyes. All these people in our society could be considered heroes and they usually share common traits: bravery, courage, selflessness, caring, nobility, and respected by society.

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, although the king could be classified as a Hero's archetype as he follows many common traits of the hero character in epics, movies, and literature, he does not seem to possess the heroes' traits in today's society. He lacks the selflessness, nobility and the respect from his people. A soldier would sacrifice his life for his country, a father would also for his child but Gilgamesh does not show this quality in the Epic, also, his quest for immortality stems from his selfish desire. Also, he does not receive respect from his people as they view him as a tyrant who contempt the gods, and a serial rapist.

However, Gilgamesh also posses some heroic traits such as courage, bravery, and caring. His bravery and courage could be seen when he slays the beast Humbaba, killed the bull sent by Ishtar, through his immortal quest and when he accepts his faith to be mortal.

Blog Post #3: Neolithic Plastered Skull

In 1953, a group of archeologists led by Kathleen Kenyon was digging in a mound in the site of Tell es-Sultan, near the modern West Bank city of Jericho, and discovered one of the most important artifacts of the Neolithic era, the Jericho skull. With today's modern technologies and forensic reconstruction technique, the skull was identified to belong to male about 40 years old and his face was also constructed:

The Jericho skull was one of the seven plastered skulls found in the site and they all were stuffed with soil to support delicate bone features and then plastered to create personal features such as noses. bones, and cheeks. However, the Jericho skull, in particular, has one eye made from a bivalve shell divided in two and the other one is a smaller, complete shell.
There are several famous theories on plastered skull such as:
 1) they are part of an ancestral cult. During the Neolithic age, as they moved from a nomadic hunting lifestyle to a more settled one, it is suggested that the skull of an ancestor is used to mark the territory of a location.
2) they are the skulls of defeated enemies, used as trophies and for the purpose of marking territory like previously.
3) They are used for a spiritual, religious purpose, the reincarnation of the dead. This is probably a way the Neolithic people reintroduce their passed loved ones to join them in everyday life. I believe this theory the most due to the credible evidence found regarding plasters during the Neolithic. Plasters were found in mortuary practices, suggesting the use of it might be for connecting or separating the living and the dead. Also, plastered skulls were found in ceremonies for protection against evil,fertility and "life force" rituals.
4) They are perhaps a homage for the dead.
5) Lastly, they are probably used for the purpose of art because the creation of such crafts would require great effort and time.
Sources:
http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=283002&partId=1
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/01/jericho-skull-neolithic-facial-reconstruction-archaeology-british-museum/
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/the-jericho-skull-british-museum-facial-reconstruction-ct-scan-a7474516.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3929714/

Blog Post #2 - Shamanism theory for paleolithic art

Shamanism is defined as a practice that involves the practitioner entering an altered state of consciousness (either through chanting, hallucinogenic, etc.). Shamanism is recognized in cave paintings for primally two images: geometric patterns and human-animal hybrid.
Under experiments conducted by neurologist Henrich Kluver, subjects under the influence of mescaline reported seeing strange geometric shapes and patterns similar to those found in the cave paintings.

Cave of El Castillo in Puente Viesgo, Cantabria, Spain, dated to more than 40,000 years old 

Geometric patterns in Native American cave art

Shamans are also reported to see threads of light as a door to enter the "spirit realm" and these "doors" are possibly depicted in San rock art found in Southern Africa. In these paintings, there are long red lines at cracks and steps appeared to be "doors", whereas, the painting around it could be some sort of "veils"

San rock painting of an eland found in Drakensberg, South Africa.

Graham Hancock claimed in his book Supernatural that another type of image that is usually seen in an altered state of consciousness is any hybrid of human and animal. An example of this is "The Sorcerer" painting found in "the Sanctuary" cave in France dating back to about 13.000 years ago depicting a hybrid of man and dear.

“The Sorcerer” with the re-drawn version by Henri Breuil

Also, the human-like figure in the San Bushman cave art could possibly indicate a shaman in a trance state.

Shamans lying in a trance in San Bushman cave art

Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the artists of cave art are Shamans from the evidence provided.

Source:

https://www.ancient.eu/article/787/the-meaning-of-european-upper-paleolithic-rock-art/

https://www.samwoolfe.com/2013/04/are-cave-paintings-sign-of-shamanism.html

Blog Post #1 - "cultural diet"

My name is Khoi Bui and I will reveal my "cultural diet" through my actual diet. Since traditional cuisine is an important aspect of any culture, I will reveal the food that I eat on a daily basis. I live in a Vietnamese family and my grandma cooks for us traditional Asian meals that would mainly consist of some sort of whole grains, vegetables, protein (usually fish or poultry), and some servings of fresh fruits as a dessert.

I would pick any of my grandma's meals over American dishes because they are so much healthier and tastier. The reason I believe traditional Asian meals is healthier is that they are more plant-based with a good amount of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, and other whole plant food and the protein comes mostly from lean meat sources such as seafood or poultry. Researches have proved that whole plant food could prevent, treat and reverse top America killer diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. This is probably due to the little amount of plant-based food and an overwhelming amount of fatty meat in American meals (a Mcdonalds double cheeseburger is an epitome). Not only traditional Asian dishes have numerous health benefits but they are incredibly delicious as well with each meal has its own unique taste. A famous Vietnamese dish is Pho, a dish consist of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat (either beef or chicken). A proper bowl of Pho would take about 12 hours because the broth requires to be simmered with chicken or beef bones and various herbs. Despite the hard work, the outcome makes it all worth it.

Pho is only one of many famous mouth-watering dishes of Asia and luckily I get to try a lot of them because of my grandma. With the tastiness and health benefits of these nutrients packed meals, home food truly is the best food, or at least in my case.