Perhaps the most obvious way artistic creation reflects how people live is by mirroring theenvironment — the materials and technologies available to a culture. Stone, wood, tree bark, clay,and sand are generally available materials. In addition, depending on the locality, other resourcesmay be accessible: shells, horns, gold, copper, and silver. The different uses to which societies putthese materials are of interest to anthropologists who may ask, for example, why people choose touse clay and not copper when both items are available. Although there are no conclusive answersyet, the way in which a society views its environment is sometimes apparent in its choice and useof artistic materials. The use of certain metals, for example, may be reserved for ceremonialobjects of special importance. Or the belief in the supernatural powers of a stone or tree may causea sculptor to be sensitive to that material. What is particularly meaningful to anthropologist is the realization that although the materialsavailable to a society may to some extent limit or influence what it can do artistically, thematerials by no means determine what is done. Why do the artists in Japanese society rake sandinto patterns; and the artists in Roman society melt sand to form glass? Moreover, even when thesame material is used in the same way by members of different societies, the form or style of thework varies enormously from culture to culture. A society may simply choose to represent objectsor phenomena that are important to its population. An examination of the art of the Middle Agestells us something about the medieval preoccupation with theological doctrine. In addition torevealing the primary concerns of a society, the content of that society's art may also reflect theculture's social stratification.
What is particularly meaningful to anthropologist is the realization that although the materialsavailable to a society may to some extent limit or influence what it can do artistically, thematerials by no means determine what is done. Why do the artists in Japanese society rake sandinto patterns; and the artists in Roman society melt sand to form glass? Moreover, even when thesame material is used in the same way by members of different societies, the form or style of thework varies enormously from culture to culture. A society may simply choose to represent objectsor phenomena that are important to its population. An examination of the art of the Middle Agestells us something about the medieval preoccupation with theological doctrine. In addition torevealing the primary concerns of a society, the content of that society's art may also reflect theculture's social stratification.