The Analysis of Socio-cultural Dynamics in Ethnographic Context Demonstrates with Archaeological Witnesses, in Central Africa and the Middle East, the Gap Between Form and Function

Protais Pamphile Patrice Medjo

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ija.20241201.12

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The Analysis of Socio-cultural Dynamics in Ethnographic Context Demonstrates with Archaeological Witnesses, in Central Africa and the Middle East, the Gap Between Form and Function

Protais Pamphile Patrice Medjo^*

Published in International Journal of Archaeology (Volume 12, Issue 1)

Received: 28 May 2024 Accepted: 17 June 2024 Published: 27 June 2024

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Abstract

The morpho-functional categorization of material objects used in archaeology reflects a determinism. Form determines the function of a material object. The function is systematically deduced from the form even before the former manifests itself. However, the usefulness of an object can clearly override this prognosis. The problem, then, is to verify the pre-established relationship between a predetermined activity and a predefined set of morphological characteristics required to give a material object or an archaeological assemblage its name. The latter two are defined on the basis of a set of stable characteristics. The question is how to proceed in order to highlight the dynamic nature of the object or archaeological assemblage beyond the stable state of the combination of elements by which an ethnographic object or archaeological assemblage is identified? And how can we ascertain whether the set of morphological characteristics identified with an object, or the group of remains required to form an assemblage, can be explained systematically by a static need for overproduction that is generally attributed to human societies, regardless of context. The hypothesis asserts that the utility of the material object transcends morpho-functional limits. Just as the different states of descriptive variables in archaeological assemblages are not necessarily the consequence of a uniform and continuous need for overproduction. The aim of this study is therefore to discuss the relationship established between socio-cultural dynamics and the properties of the causes generally given as stable in the explanation of this phenomenon. The results drawn from an analysis of qualitative data, collected in the written literature and in the field, will serve as a basis for discussing the conceptual model established in the explanation of observable dynamics, concerning the material productions of human societies. The functionalism-nominalism-interactionism triad serves as the basis for the theory proposed to render intelligible the precarious quality of the causes at the origin of the transformations recorded in material objects in ethnographic or archaeological contexts.

Published in	International Journal of Archaeology (Volume 12, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ija.20241201.12
Page(s)	13-22
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Morpho-Functional Categories, Socio-Cultural Dynamics, Ethnography, Archaeology, Bamoun, Fang

References

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[2]	Laming-Emperaire, A. Origines de l’archéologie préhistorique en France [Origins of prehistoric archeology in France]. Paris: Éditions A. et J. Picard et Cie; 1964, pp. 86-87.
[3]	Cazeneuve, J. L’ehnologie [Ethnology]. Paris: Librairie Larousse; 1967, pp149-150.
[4]	Leroi-Gorhan, A. Milieu et Techniques [Environment and Techniques]. Paris: Albin Michel; 1945-1973, pp. 185-186.
[5]	(de) Maret, P. Sédentarisation agriculture et métallurgie du Sud Cameroun. Synthèse des recherches depuis 1978. In L’archéologie au Cameroun [Sedentarization of agriculture and metallurgy in Southern Cameroon. Summary of research since 1978. In Archeology in Cameroon]. Paris: Karthala; 1992, p. 247-260.
[6]	Clist, B. Centrafrique. In Aux origines de l’Afrique Centrale [Central African Republic. In At the origins of Central Africa]. Paris: Sepia; 1991, p. 155-160.
[7]	Holl, A. Cameroun. In Aux origines de l’Afrique centrale [Cameroon. In At the origins of Central Africa]. Paris: Sepia; 1991, p. 149-154.
[8]	Huysecom, E. Le concept de néolithique en Afrique Noire vu au travers d’observations ethnoarchéologiques [The concept of the Neolithic in Black Africa seen through ethnoarchaeological observations. International]. Union of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences. 1996, 15, pp. 257-262.
[9]	Rocher, G. Introduction à la sociologie générale 2. L’organisation sociale [Introduction to general sociology 2. Social organization]. Paris: Éditions HMH Ltée; 1968, p. 145-177.
[10]	Merton, R. K. Elements of sociological theory and method. Paris: Plon; 1965, p. 140-145.
[11]	Cauvin, J. Naissance des divinités naissance de l’agriculture [Birth of divinities birth of agriculture]. Paris: CNRS; 2010, pp. 18-40.
[12]	Lalande, A. Vocabulaire technique et critique de la philosophie.8e édition [Technical vocabulary and criticism of philosophy. 8th edition]. Paris: PUF; 2010, pp. 301-302-686-687.
[13]	Hansen-Love, L. La philosophie de A à Z [Philosophy from A to Z]. Paris: Hatier; 2020, pp. 356-357.
[14]	International Journal of Archaeology, “Critical analysis of the concept of “Human Adaptation” to Discuss its adequacy with Socio-cultural Dynamics in Light with Ethnographic Observations and Archaeological Evidence”. Available from: https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija/ [Accessed May 23, 2024].
[15]	Gurvitch, G. Dialectique et sociologie [Dialectics and sociology]. Paris: Flammarion; 1962, p. 24-27.
[16]	Bachelard, G. Le rationalisme appliqué [Applied rationalism]. Paris: PUF; 1949, pp.241-242.
[17]	Bachelard, G. 1949. L’activité rationnelle de la physique contemporaine [The rational activity of contemporary physics]. Paris, PUF; 1951, pp.111-112.
[18]	Laburthe-Tolra, Ph, Flagayrettes-Leveau, Ch. Fang [Fang]. Paris: Editions Dapper; 1997, pp. 238-243.
[19]	Blumer, H. symbolic Interactionism. New Jersey: Printice Hall: 1969, pp 2-6.
[20]	Leach, E. Critique of anthropology. Paris: PUF; 1968 pp. 16-17.
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[22]	Testart, A. La Déesse et le grain. [The Goddess and the grain]. Paris: Editions Errance; 2010, pp. 33-40.

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APA Style

Medjo, P. P. P. (2024). The Analysis of Socio-cultural Dynamics in Ethnographic Context Demonstrates with Archaeological Witnesses, in Central Africa and the Middle East, the Gap Between Form and Function. International Journal of Archaeology, 12(1), 13-22. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20241201.12

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ACS Style

Medjo, P. P. P. The Analysis of Socio-cultural Dynamics in Ethnographic Context Demonstrates with Archaeological Witnesses, in Central Africa and the Middle East, the Gap Between Form and Function. Int. J. Archaeol. 2024, 12(1), 13-22. doi: 10.11648/j.ija.20241201.12

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AMA Style

Medjo PPP. The Analysis of Socio-cultural Dynamics in Ethnographic Context Demonstrates with Archaeological Witnesses, in Central Africa and the Middle East, the Gap Between Form and Function. Int J Archaeol. 2024;12(1):13-22. doi: 10.11648/j.ija.20241201.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ija.20241201.12,
  author = {Protais Pamphile Patrice Medjo},
  title = {The Analysis of Socio-cultural Dynamics in Ethnographic Context Demonstrates with Archaeological Witnesses, in Central Africa and the Middle East, the Gap Between Form and Function
},
  journal = {International Journal of Archaeology},
  volume = {12},
  number = {1},
  pages = {13-22},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ija.20241201.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20241201.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ija.20241201.12},
  abstract = {The morpho-functional categorization of material objects used in archaeology reflects a determinism. Form determines the function of a material object. The function is systematically deduced from the form even before the former manifests itself. However, the usefulness of an object can clearly override this prognosis. The problem, then, is to verify the pre-established relationship between a predetermined activity and a predefined set of morphological characteristics required to give a material object or an archaeological assemblage its name. The latter two are defined on the basis of a set of stable characteristics. The question is how to proceed in order to highlight the dynamic nature of the object or archaeological assemblage beyond the stable state of the combination of elements by which an ethnographic object or archaeological assemblage is identified? And how can we ascertain whether the set of morphological characteristics identified with an object, or the group of remains required to form an assemblage, can be explained systematically by a static need for overproduction that is generally attributed to human societies, regardless of context. The hypothesis asserts that the utility of the material object transcends morpho-functional limits. Just as the different states of descriptive variables in archaeological assemblages are not necessarily the consequence of a uniform and continuous need for overproduction. The aim of this study is therefore to discuss the relationship established between socio-cultural dynamics and the properties of the causes generally given as stable in the explanation of this phenomenon. The results drawn from an analysis of qualitative data, collected in the written literature and in the field, will serve as a basis for discussing the conceptual model established in the explanation of observable dynamics, concerning the material productions of human societies. The functionalism-nominalism-interactionism triad serves as the basis for the theory proposed to render intelligible the precarious quality of the causes at the origin of the transformations recorded in material objects in ethnographic or archaeological contexts.
},
 year = {2024}
}

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T1  - The Analysis of Socio-cultural Dynamics in Ethnographic Context Demonstrates with Archaeological Witnesses, in Central Africa and the Middle East, the Gap Between Form and Function

AU  - Protais Pamphile Patrice Medjo
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T2  - International Journal of Archaeology
JF  - International Journal of Archaeology
JO  - International Journal of Archaeology
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AB  - The morpho-functional categorization of material objects used in archaeology reflects a determinism. Form determines the function of a material object. The function is systematically deduced from the form even before the former manifests itself. However, the usefulness of an object can clearly override this prognosis. The problem, then, is to verify the pre-established relationship between a predetermined activity and a predefined set of morphological characteristics required to give a material object or an archaeological assemblage its name. The latter two are defined on the basis of a set of stable characteristics. The question is how to proceed in order to highlight the dynamic nature of the object or archaeological assemblage beyond the stable state of the combination of elements by which an ethnographic object or archaeological assemblage is identified? And how can we ascertain whether the set of morphological characteristics identified with an object, or the group of remains required to form an assemblage, can be explained systematically by a static need for overproduction that is generally attributed to human societies, regardless of context. The hypothesis asserts that the utility of the material object transcends morpho-functional limits. Just as the different states of descriptive variables in archaeological assemblages are not necessarily the consequence of a uniform and continuous need for overproduction. The aim of this study is therefore to discuss the relationship established between socio-cultural dynamics and the properties of the causes generally given as stable in the explanation of this phenomenon. The results drawn from an analysis of qualitative data, collected in the written literature and in the field, will serve as a basis for discussing the conceptual model established in the explanation of observable dynamics, concerning the material productions of human societies. The functionalism-nominalism-interactionism triad serves as the basis for the theory proposed to render intelligible the precarious quality of the causes at the origin of the transformations recorded in material objects in ethnographic or archaeological contexts.

VL  - 12
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Author Information

Protais Pamphile Patrice Medjo

Department of History and Heritage Conservation, Faculty of Arts Letters and Humanities, University of Ebolowa, Ebolowa, Cameroon; Department of Arts, Technology and Heritage, Institute of Fine Arts, University of Dschang, Foumban, Cameroon

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http://orcid.org/0009-0002-6974-9063

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Medjo, P. P. P. (2024). The Analysis of Socio-cultural Dynamics in Ethnographic Context Demonstrates with Archaeological Witnesses, in Central Africa and the Middle East, the Gap Between Form and Function. International Journal of Archaeology, 12(1), 13-22. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20241201.12

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ACS Style

Medjo, P. P. P. The Analysis of Socio-cultural Dynamics in Ethnographic Context Demonstrates with Archaeological Witnesses, in Central Africa and the Middle East, the Gap Between Form and Function. Int. J. Archaeol. 2024, 12(1), 13-22. doi: 10.11648/j.ija.20241201.12

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AMA Style

Medjo PPP. The Analysis of Socio-cultural Dynamics in Ethnographic Context Demonstrates with Archaeological Witnesses, in Central Africa and the Middle East, the Gap Between Form and Function. Int J Archaeol. 2024;12(1):13-22. doi: 10.11648/j.ija.20241201.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ija.20241201.12,
  author = {Protais Pamphile Patrice Medjo},
  title = {The Analysis of Socio-cultural Dynamics in Ethnographic Context Demonstrates with Archaeological Witnesses, in Central Africa and the Middle East, the Gap Between Form and Function
},
  journal = {International Journal of Archaeology},
  volume = {12},
  number = {1},
  pages = {13-22},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ija.20241201.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20241201.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ija.20241201.12},
  abstract = {The morpho-functional categorization of material objects used in archaeology reflects a determinism. Form determines the function of a material object. The function is systematically deduced from the form even before the former manifests itself. However, the usefulness of an object can clearly override this prognosis. The problem, then, is to verify the pre-established relationship between a predetermined activity and a predefined set of morphological characteristics required to give a material object or an archaeological assemblage its name. The latter two are defined on the basis of a set of stable characteristics. The question is how to proceed in order to highlight the dynamic nature of the object or archaeological assemblage beyond the stable state of the combination of elements by which an ethnographic object or archaeological assemblage is identified? And how can we ascertain whether the set of morphological characteristics identified with an object, or the group of remains required to form an assemblage, can be explained systematically by a static need for overproduction that is generally attributed to human societies, regardless of context. The hypothesis asserts that the utility of the material object transcends morpho-functional limits. Just as the different states of descriptive variables in archaeological assemblages are not necessarily the consequence of a uniform and continuous need for overproduction. The aim of this study is therefore to discuss the relationship established between socio-cultural dynamics and the properties of the causes generally given as stable in the explanation of this phenomenon. The results drawn from an analysis of qualitative data, collected in the written literature and in the field, will serve as a basis for discussing the conceptual model established in the explanation of observable dynamics, concerning the material productions of human societies. The functionalism-nominalism-interactionism triad serves as the basis for the theory proposed to render intelligible the precarious quality of the causes at the origin of the transformations recorded in material objects in ethnographic or archaeological contexts.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Analysis of Socio-cultural Dynamics in Ethnographic Context Demonstrates with Archaeological Witnesses, in Central Africa and the Middle East, the Gap Between Form and Function

AU  - Protais Pamphile Patrice Medjo
Y1  - 2024/06/27
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20241201.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ija.20241201.12
T2  - International Journal of Archaeology
JF  - International Journal of Archaeology
JO  - International Journal of Archaeology
SP  - 13
EP  - 22
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7595
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20241201.12
AB  - The morpho-functional categorization of material objects used in archaeology reflects a determinism. Form determines the function of a material object. The function is systematically deduced from the form even before the former manifests itself. However, the usefulness of an object can clearly override this prognosis. The problem, then, is to verify the pre-established relationship between a predetermined activity and a predefined set of morphological characteristics required to give a material object or an archaeological assemblage its name. The latter two are defined on the basis of a set of stable characteristics. The question is how to proceed in order to highlight the dynamic nature of the object or archaeological assemblage beyond the stable state of the combination of elements by which an ethnographic object or archaeological assemblage is identified? And how can we ascertain whether the set of morphological characteristics identified with an object, or the group of remains required to form an assemblage, can be explained systematically by a static need for overproduction that is generally attributed to human societies, regardless of context. The hypothesis asserts that the utility of the material object transcends morpho-functional limits. Just as the different states of descriptive variables in archaeological assemblages are not necessarily the consequence of a uniform and continuous need for overproduction. The aim of this study is therefore to discuss the relationship established between socio-cultural dynamics and the properties of the causes generally given as stable in the explanation of this phenomenon. The results drawn from an analysis of qualitative data, collected in the written literature and in the field, will serve as a basis for discussing the conceptual model established in the explanation of observable dynamics, concerning the material productions of human societies. The functionalism-nominalism-interactionism triad serves as the basis for the theory proposed to render intelligible the precarious quality of the causes at the origin of the transformations recorded in material objects in ethnographic or archaeological contexts.

VL  - 12
IS  - 1
ER  -

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