to the hearts and minds of ancient people. their decipherment is one of the greatest challenges facing archaeologists today. we humans are social animals. our need to communicate is universal. some of our messages can be easily understood. but we communicate, too, through abstract symbols that have meaning only within a particular culture. these symbols take many forms. the flag is a symbol. a gesture says, we re number one. the uniform is a symbol that identifies the official and the player. the game itself is symbolic ritualized combat with clearly defined rules. even sound can be a symbol. [ whistle blows ] the whistle signals the end of play. but why a whistle ? why not a gong ? why a striped shirt and not a plaid one ? the choice is arbitrary. but within this culture, the meaning is mutually accepted. the use of symbols is the single most distinguishing feature of any culture. but as distinct as they are, all symbols are used for the same purpose to communica, mani
about life among the maya ? from ancient sumer, clay tablets reveal astonishing details about daily life 5,000 years ago, and tell the story of the invention of writing. symbols can be the gateway to the hearts and minds of ancient people. their decipherment is one of the greatest challenges facing archaeologists today. we humans are social animals. our need to communicate is universal. some of our messages can be easily understood. but we communicate, too, through abstract symbols that have meaning only within a particular culture. these symbols take many forms. the flag is a symbol. a gesture says, we re number one. the uniform is a symbol that identifies the official and the player. the game itself is symbolic ritualized combat with clearly defined rules. even sound can be a symbol. [ whistle blows ] the whistle signals the end of play. but why a whistle ? why not a gong ? why a striped shirt and not a plaid one ? the choice is arbitrary. but within this culture, the m
from ancient sumer clay tablets reveal astonishing details about daily life 5,000 years ago, and tell the story of the invention of writing. symbols can be the gateway to the hearts and minds of ancient people. their decipherment is one of the greatest challenges facing archaeologists today. we humans are social animals. our need to communicate is universal. some of our messages can be easily understood. but we communicate, too, through abstract symbols that have meaning only within a particular culture. these symbols take many forms. the flag is a symbol. a gesture says we re number one. the uniform is a symbol that identifies the official and the player. the game itself is symbolic ritualized combat with clearly defined rules. even sound can be a symbol. [ whistle blows ] the whistle signals the end of play. but why a whistle ? why not a gong ? why a striped shirt and not a plaid one ? the choice is arbitrary. but within this culture, the meaning is mutually accepted. t
about life among the maya ? from ancient sumer clay tablets reveal astonishing details about daily life 5,000 years ago, and tell the story of the invention of writing. symbols can be the gateway to the hearts and minds of ancient people. their decipherment is one of the greatest challenges facing archaeologists today. we humans are social animals. our need to communicate is universal. some of our messages can be easily understood. but we communicate, too, through abstract symbols that have meaning only within a particular culture. these symbols take many forms. the flag is a symbol. a gesture says we re number one. the uniform is a symbol that identifies the official and the player. the game itself is symbolic ritualized combat with clearly defined rules. even sound can be a symbol. [ whistle blows ] the whistle signals the end of play. but why a whistle ? why not a gong ? why a striped shirt and not a plaid one ? the choice is arbitrary. but within this culture, the mea
clay tablets reveal astonishing details about daily life 5,000 years ago, and tell the story of the invention of writing. symbols can be the gateway to the hearts and minds of ancient people. their decipherment is one of the greatest challenges facing archaeologists today. we humans are social animals. our need to communicate is universal. some of our messages can be easily understood. but we communicate, too, through abstract symbols that have meaning only within a particular culture. these symbols take many forms. the flag is a symbol. a gesture says, we re number one. the uniform is a symbol that identifies the official and the player. the game itself is symbolic ritualized combat with clearly defined rules. even sound can be a symbol. [ whistle blows ] the whistle signals the end of play. but why a whistle ? why not a gong ? why a striped shirt and not a plaid one ? the choice is arbitrary. but within this culture, the meaning is mutually accepted. the use of symbols