Question 1 | HSBC-Lonnie-Bunch-Historical-Significance-of-Artifacts

Question 1 | HSBC-Lonnie-Bunch-Historical-Significance-of-Artifacts

Question 1

Why does an artifact’s historical significance evolve, and how does its presentation shape its meaning over time?

Answer

An artifact’s significance remains unchanged, as its value is solely determined by its connection to famous historical figures or events.

An artifact’s significance evolves based on the stories it represents and the historical context in which it is displayed, as seen with Harriet Tubman’s hymnal or Emmett Till’s casket.

Artifacts gain historical value only if they are visually striking or rare, regardless of the broader context or stories they carry, like Chuck Berry’s Cadillac.

The historical significance of an artifact is fixed, and its meaning does not change based on its display or interpretation.