The Biography of a Dokimeion Columnar Sarcophagus Fragment
Abstract
"It has become popular over the past few decades to view objects as not merely the passive repositories of human actions but rather as integral actors in them. One such theory that attempts to articulate the relationship between humans and objects is object biography. Central to this theory is that an object accrues meaning over time through the social and cultural interactions in which it is involved. In the past this theory has been used for objects with a distinct change in their use and contexts and has articulated the shifting role these objects played in the lives of the individuals owning or using them. A fragment of a columnar sarcophagus in the Museum of Art and Archaeology, although its life trajectory most likely followed an expected path from quarry to burial, has nevertheless acquired meanings over the course of its history. Using the theory of object biography and analyzing three biographical episodes in particular, this article examines the process whereby this fragment became invested with meaning. Artifacts divorced from their original context are unfortunately often seen as static and devoid of meaning, and this fragmentary single figure could be the object of similar misapprehensions, since it is not only without context but also separated from the sarcophagus of which it was once a part. Despite this, however, it is possible to discuss the vital role such a sarcophagus played as an active vehicle for the owner's status and wealth. Following an object from its conceptual origin to its final known biographical episode presents a clear narrative structure that cannot be found through any other theoretical approach. From its construction at a quarry in central Asia Minor to its expected use within a burial, to its eventual accessioning into the museum, this sarcophagus fragment acquired multifarious meanings as it actively participated in various social milieus."--First paragraph.
Citation
Originally published in: Muse, 2017, volume 51, pages 25-44
Rights
OpenAccess
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 License.