La Venta Olmec Archaeology site La Venta

The La Venta is an archaeological site in the Mexican State of Tabasco. At the site are the partially excavated ruins of an Olmec city which thrived from approximately 900-400 B.C. before being abandoned and reclaimed by the jungle. La Venta is a very important Olmec site and many interesting and significant artifacts have been found there, including four of the famous Olmec colossal heads. The Olmec Civilization The Ancient Olmec were the first major civilization in Mesoamerica, and as such are considered the parent culture of other societies that came later, including the Maya and Aztec. They were gifted artists and sculptors who are best remembered today for their massive colossal heads. They were also talented engineers and traders. They had a well-developed religion and interpretation of the cosmos, complete with gods and mythology. Their first great city was San Lorenzo, but the city declined and around 900 A.D. the center of Olmec civilization became La Venta. For centuries, La Venta spread Olmec culture and influence throughout Mesoamerica. When La Ventas glory faded and the city declined around 400 B.C., Olmec culture died with it, although a post-Olmec culture thrived at the site of Tres Zapotes. Even once the Olmec were gone, their gods, beliefs and artistic styles survived in other Mesoamerican cultures whose turn for greatness was yet to come. La Venta at its Peak From about 900 to 400 A.D., La Venta was the greatest city in Mesoamerica, far greater than any of its contemporaries. A man-made mountain towered over the ridge at the heart of the city where priests and rulers carried out elaborate ceremonies. Thousands of common Olmec citizens labored tending crops in the fields, catching fish in the rivers or moving great blocks of stone to the Olmec workshops for carving. Skilled sculptors produced colossal heads and thrones weighing many tons as well as finely polished jadeite celts, axe heads, beads and other pretty things. Olmec traders crossed Mesoamerica from Central America to the Valley of Mexico, returning with bright feathers, jadeite from Guatemala, cacao from the Pacific coast and obsidian for weapons, tools and adornments. The city itself covered an area of 200 hectares and its influence spread much further. The Royal Compound La Venta was built on a ridge alongside the Palma River. At the top of the ridge are a series of complexes collectively referred to as the Royal Compound because it is believed that the ruler of La Venta lived there with his family. The royal compound is the most important part of the site and many important objects have been unearthed there. The royal compound - and the city itself - is dominated by Complex C, a man-made mountain built of many tons of earth. It was once pyramidal in shape, but the centuries - and some unwelcome interference from nearby oil operations in the 1960s - have turned Complex C into a shapeless hill. On the northern side is Complex A, a burial ground and important religious area (see below). On the other side, Complex B is a large area where thousands of common Olmecs could gather to witness ceremonies taking place on Complex C. The royal compound is completed by the Stirling Acropolis, a raised platform with two mounds: it is believed that the royal reside nce was once located here. Complex A Complex A is bordered on the south by Complex C and on the north by three massive colossal heads, clearly setting this area aside as a privileged zone for the most important citizens of La Venta. Complex A is the most complete ceremonial center to have survived from Olmec times and the discoveries made there redefined modern knowledge of the Olmec. Complex A was evidently a sacred place where burials took place (five tombs have been found) and people gave gifts to the gods. There are five massive offerings here: deep pits filled with serpentine stones and colored clay before being topped with serpentine mosaics and earthen mounds. Numerous smaller offerings have been found, including a set of figurines known as small dedicatory offering four. Numerous statues and stonecarvings were located here. Scuplture and Art at La Venta La Venta is a treasure trove of Olmec art and sculpture. At least 90 stone monuments have been discovered there including some of the most important pieces of Olmec art. Four colossal heads – out of a total of seventeen known to exist – were discovered here. There are several massive thrones at La Venta: huge blocks of stone brought from many miles away, carved on the sides and meant to be sat or stood upon by rulers or priests. Some of the more important pieces include Monument 13, nicknamed â€Å"the Ambassador,† which may contain some of the earliest glyphs recorded in Mesoamerica and Monument 19, a skillful depiction of a warrior and a feathered serpent. Stela 3 shows two rulers facing one another while 6 figures – spirits? – swirl overhead. Decline of La Venta Ultimately La Ventas influence petered out and the city went into decline around 400 B.C. Eventually the site was abandoned altogether and reclaimed by the jungle: it would remain lost for centuries. Fortunately, the Olmecs covered up much of Complex A with clay and earth before the city was abandoned: this would preserve important objects for discovery in the twentieth century. With the fall of La Venta, Olmec civilization faded as well. It survived somewhat in a post-Olmec phase referred to as the Epi-Olmec: the center of this age was the city of Tres Zapotes. The Olmec people did not all die out: their descendants would return to greatness in the Classic Veracruz culture. Importance La Venta The Olmec culture is very mysterious yet very important for archaeologists and modern-day researchers. It is mysterious because, having disappeared over 2,000 years ago, much information about them has been irrevocably lost. It is important because as the parent culture of Mesoamerica, its influence on the later development of the region is immeasurable. La Venta, along with San Lorenzo, Tres Zapotes and El Manatà ­, is one of the four most important Olmec sites known to exist. The information gleaned from Complex A alone is priceless. Although the site isnt particularly spectacular for tourists and visitors - if you want breathtaking temples and buildings, go to Tikal or Teotihuacà ¡n - any archaeologist will tell you its just as important. Sources: Coe, Michael D and Rex Koontz. Mexico: From the Olmecs to the Aztecs. 6th Edition. New York: Thames and Hudson, 2008 Diehl, Richard A. The Olmecs: Americas First Civilization. London: Thames and Hudson, 2004. Gonzalez Tauck, Rebecca B. El Complejo A: La Venta, Tabasco Arqueologà ­a Mexicana Vol XV - Num. 87 (Sept-Oct 2007). p. 49-54.

Curleys Wife Free Essays

Exam Practice – C. A. T On Curley’s Wife. We will write a custom essay sample on Curleys Wife or any similar topic only for you Order Now In this essay, I will explain the character of Curley’s wife having looked at, we can see John Steinbeck portrays Curley’s wife as being a ‘tart’ but also a nice woman. She is a natural flirt as throughout the novel she continues to talk to all the other men on the farm, but when she dies, we see her as an innocent woman. Steinbeck uses many different techniques to present Curley’s wife such as colour imagery, appearance, metaphors and similes in the early stages of the novel. The effect of these techniques is that the reader creates a mental image of Curley’s wife even before she even enters the novel. Curley’s wife gives off the impression she is a ‘tart’ and a ‘floozy’ throughout the novel. When readers first read about her, her body language is provocative when she leans against a wall in the barn. â€Å"Oh! She put her hands behind e=ger back and leaned against the door frame so her body was thrown forward, you’re the new fellas that just come, ain’t ya? , being the only woman on the farm, this reveals her need to be noticed and admired by the men. She talks very confidently and flirtatiously to George and Lennie even though they have just arrived on the farm and she doesn’t know them. She pretends to be looking for her husband and when told that he is not there Steinbeck writes â€Å"If he ain’t, I guess I better look some place else† she said playfully.? This shows her bored om in marriage with Curley and that she just want attention from the men on the farm. Curley’s Wife is first presented to us through the dialogue of ranch-hand Candy, when he describes her to George. Candy’s opinion is very sexist towards Curley’s wife, you only hear the men’s opinion on Curley’s Wife. He also says â€Å"Curley’s married . . . a tart† which shows how Steinbeck wants to present Curley’s wife which is in a very crude manner. He uses expressions such as â€Å"she got the eye† and goes on to describe her as looking at other men, before eventually calling her a ‘tart’. The word â€Å"tart† which shows the impression and effect Curley’s wife has on other men on the ranch. Steinbeck wanted to use this effect because he wants to show the reader the immediate impression the men have about Curley’s wife. This further supports my point that Steinbeck presents Curley’s wife in a negative manner. The effect of this is that the reader has judge Curley’s Wife without her speaking in the novel. One the one hand, Steinbeck uses the colour red to describe Curley’s wife which explores ideas of danger, strong and bold. The quote â€Å" She had full rouged lips.. her fingernails red.. she wore a cotton house dress and red mules of which were little bouquets of red ostrich feathers†. This shows how she makes the effort and dresses to attract sexual attraction from the men on the farm which makes readers think she’s a ‘tart’. On the other hand, Curley’s Wife’s appearance could be seen as naive and youthful desire to be found attractive. Red is bright and has an element of happiness to it. Therefore she might not be wearing the colour red to stand out and to look like a ‘tart’. How to cite Curleys Wife, Papers Curleys Wife Free Essays Mediums by which she is presented to the reader by Steinbeck is by how she is described by both the characters and Steinbeck, what she is wearing and her body language when she is with the workers, her actions with the characters and what she says (the hidden meaning of what she says). One of the ways the reader can learn about a Character is through the other Characters description and their opinion of that character, in the case of Curlers’ Wife the first we hear of her is from Crooks, the old swamped, when he is talking to George during a game of cards. He states, â€Å"she got the eye† which shows that she is a flirtatious and an immoral woman because she has only been married for two weeks. We will write a custom essay sample on Curleys Wife or any similar topic only for you Order Now Candy also describes her as a â€Å"tart† (a tart is a woman who dresses or behaves in a way that is considered tasteless and sexually provocative). The fact that Curlers’ Wife is introduced through rumors means that the reader has a biased impression of her. Already the reader has been introduced to the idea that Curlers’ Wife is a ‘tart† and an immoral flirtatious woman. This idea is the further strengthened by 1st appearance. Her first appearance of the story is made in the doorway of the bunkhouse, asking the whereabouts of her husband which is revealed to be a weak excuse to make interaction with the workers. She is wearing â€Å"red cotton house dress and red mules, on the instep of which were little bouquets of red strict feathers. † Emphasizing her sexual presence with the color red, but the emphasis of the color red also shows danger because the color red is sometimes associated with danger, which shows she is a dangerous character. Additionally, the bouquets of ostrich feathers, also described as red, on the insteps of her shoes would have been extremely expensive in the time which â€Å"Of Mice and Men† was set; and that Curlers’ Wife not only wears them on her feet but in the middle of the ‘Dust Bowl’ expresses her desperate need for attention and she is willing to ruin her best pair of shows in order to main he attention of the workers, despite the fact she has a husband. Our image of Curlers wife being immoral women in then further reinforced when she Starts talking to George,† ‘Oh! She put her hands behind her back and leaned against the door frame so that her body was thrown forward. † Not only is Cur less’ Wife described as a floozy but also a dangerous woman. Upon entering Crooks’ room it is clear that Candy and Crooks are afraid of her when they both â€Å"scowled down from her eyes† this deliberate prevention of eye contact suggest that they are scared of her or they don’t feel as if they need to dignify her with eye contact. The word â€Å"scowling’ means that the presence of her displeases Candy and Crooks. In the story we know that both Crooks and Curlers’ Wife are similar in more the one way both are obviously intelligent and perceptive of themselves as well as others, and both contain a deep bitterness stemming from their mistreatment. Both contain a bleak and accurate insight of the fundamental nastiness of people and they are discriminated (When she threatens to get him hung â€Å"l could get so strung so quickly it ant even funny’ and isolated (In the novella there are many quotes to show that Candy’s’ Wife is a lonely Oman â€Å"l never get to talk to nobody. Et awful lonely. † â€Å"What’s the matter with me? Anti I got a right to talk to nobody? † â€Å"Seems like they anti none Of them cares how goat live†. ) In the novella she is also linked to The American Dream (Dictionary Definition: is the ideal by which equality of opportunity is available to any American, allowing the highest aspirations and goals to be achieved. Because she is talking to Leonie about what happened to her before she get married (this shows that even though she is married and has a husband to talk to SE still rise to talk to the workers, but it also shows a vulnerable side of her it tells us that maybe she doesn’t get to talk much at her house that she has bad relationship). She reveals that her mother denied her the opportunity to join a traveling show († I always thought my 01†² lady stole it†) when she was fifteen and then, years later, a talent SCOUt spotted her and promised to take her to Hollywood to become a movie star. When nothing came of it, she decided to marry Curler, whom she dislikes. â€Å"Well, I wasn’t goanna stay no place where I couldn’t get nowhere or make something of myself, an’ where they stole your teeters† This tells she left home because she believed and her mother was denying her of her dream and she only married Curler to get away from her mother which leads to question Does she have a good relationship with her husband? Curly is arrogant We know he is arrogant because in the novella he picks with the biggest worker there (Leonie) believing that he has enough strength to take down the biggest worker â€Å"Come on, yea big bastard Get up on your feet. No big son-of-a-bitchy is goanna laugh at me† Curler is deliberately shouting at Leonie because he thinks he can win because of his arrogance. His wife is a flirt and definitely lacks the attention (the right kind of attention) she should receive from her husband. She’s a trophy, and he treats her as such. They had a short engagement (they married the night they met), and Curlers’ wife, from the little we really know about her married Curly for little more than to get away from her mother. Curly and his wife have a very unstable marriage, lacking in communication, love and respect. Curly believes that manipulation, intimidation, and insensitivity provide him with power over a wife who is fact just a lonely, young woman who needs to be loved. Not to et the wife off the hook here; Curlers’ wife is far from stupid. She likes the money and the nice house; she never tries to leave him. But she also holds some power in their relationship. Curly wife possessed his mind, and as I’ve already stated he’s very jealous. Being the only woman on the ranch, Curly is even more worried about her behavior with the men who work there†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ If he didn’t know where she was for even a minute, he was off looking for her. Example;† You seen a girl around here? † he demanded angrily. † She made him crazy and enjoyed it. So ultimately, neither one of them are very happy it’s a pretty unhealthy relationship. How to cite Curleys Wife, Papers

Biotechnology Genetically Modified Foods Essay Example For Students

Biotechnology: Genetically Modified Foods Essay Throughout the advancing technology of today, human culture is becoming revolutionary with science and all of its components. Genetically modifying foods presents positive opportunities in agriculture and human health. Furthermore, more scientifically advanced modifications that select genetically superior plants, have enhanced the yield of crops, improved storability, and increased disease resistance. To simply remove genes from one organism and transfer them to another is generally harmless if we take appropriate precautions. This often debated issue holds many objections. Moreover, one may claim that modifying genes at all is unnatural and evaluates a sufficient risk to many different organisms and species. However, the current technology we possess provides us with the capabilities to go beyond our limits. Why draw the line here? Genetically modifying foods presents positive and beneficial opportunities. In most cases, we are not eating those genes. By the time a genetically engineered corn plant has been processed into corn oil, virtually none of the genes or the proteins they produce is left in the food. Transferring genes from one plant or animal to another provides an advantageous outcome to this production. A better resistance to weeds, pests, and diseases is produced as well as better yield and a more efficient use of land. Additionally, altering genetics in foods contributes to a better texture, flavor, and nutritional value of a product. Therefore, there is a longer shelf life and less herbicide or other chemicals are used in the production of genetically modified foods, which provides a healthier option and an increased selection for the consumer. Biotechnology is going to help solve problems that we face going into the next century such as reduction of allergies, development of more nutritious foods, and an increased nutritional production to feed a growing population. Subsequently, changing one or two genes does not make a food unacceptable. Religious and vegetarian groups would object to genes from some species, while adequate protection can be given with labeling the product. Ethically, one may argue that it is radically useless to modify foods genetically or that agriculture is already too technological and it will only progress more negatively. However, it is likely that increasing numbers of genetically modified foods will emerge in the near future with more variety of modifications and associated benefits. Generally, genetically modified foods will affect the lives of most people in the areas of food, medicine, and environmental protection as it meets the modern technology of today. This advancing technology requires careful regulations to ensure that there is no threat to human health in introducing this production system. Proper labeling, accurate product information, and the provision of species are some of the measures that one can review as a means of ensuring public confidence in the safety of genetically modified foods. Additionally, this is also effective as a means of providing those with objections to the technology with a means of avoiding these foods. Fundamentally, by altering the genes of specie for the benefit of human race and its development is simply not changing the rules in life, but rather it allows us to progress into a new revolution of advancements for the future. .

Canons of Taxation free essay sample

A good tax system is one which is designed on the basis of an appropriate set of principles (rules). The tax system should strike a balance between the interest of the taxpayer and that of tax authorities. Adam Smith was the first economist to develop a list of Canons of Taxation. These canons are still regarded as characteristics or features of a good tax system. Adam Smith gave following four important canons of taxation. 1. Canon of Equity The principle aims at providing economic and social justice to the people. According to this principle, every person should pay to the government depending upon his ability to pay. The rich class people should pay higher taxes to the government, because without the protection of the government authorities (Police, Defence, etc. ) they could not have earned and enjoyed their income. Adam Smith argued that the taxes should be proportional to income, i. e. , citizens should pay the taxes in proportion to the revenue which they respectively enjoy under the protection of the state. We will write a custom essay sample on Canons of Taxation or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 2. Canon of Certainty According to Adam Smith, the tax which an individual has to pay should be certain, not arbitrary. The tax payer should know in advance how much tax he has to pay, at what time he has to pay the tax, and in what form the tax is to be paid to the government. In other words, every tax should satisfy the canon of certainty. At the same time a good tax system also ensures that the government is also certain about the amount that will be collected by way of tax. 3. Canon of Convenience The mode and timing of tax payment should be as far as possible, convenient to the tax payers. For example, land revenue is collected at time of harvest income tax is deducted at source. Convenient tax system will encourage people to pay tax and will increase tax revenue. 4. Canon of Economy This principle states that there should be economy in tax administration. The cost of tax collection should be lower than the amount of tax collected. It may not serve any purpose, if the taxes imposed are widespread but are difficult to administer. Therefore, it would make no sense to impose certain taxes, if it is difficult to administer. Additional Canons of Taxation v Activities and functions of the government have increased significantly since Adam Smiths time. Government are expected to maintain economic stability, full employment, reduce income inequality amp; promote growth and development. Tax system should be such that it meets the requirements of growing state activities. Accordingly, modern economists gave following additional canons of taxation. 5. Canon of Productivity It is also known as the canon of fiscal adequacy. According to this principle, the tax system should be able to yield enough revenue for the treasury and the government should have no need to resort to deficit financing. This is a good principle to follow in a developing economy. 6. Canon of Elasticity According to this canon, every tax imposed by the government should be elastic in nature. In other words, the income from tax should be capable of increasing or decreasing according to the requirement of the country. For example, if the government needs more income at time of crisis, the tax should be capable of yielding more income through increase in its rate. . Canon of Flexibility It should be easily possible for the authorities to revise the tax structure both with respect to its coverage and rates, to suit the changing requirements of the economy. With changing time and conditions the tax system needs to be changed without much difficulty. The tax system must be flexible and not rigid. 8. Canon of Simplicity The tax system shoul d not be complicated. That makes it difficult to understand and administer and results in problems of interpretation and disputes. In India, the efforts of the government in recent years have been to make the system simple. 9. Canon of Diversity This principle states that the government should collect taxes from different sources rather than concentrating on a single source of tax. It is not advisable for the government to depend upon a single source of tax, it may result in inequity to the certain section of the society; uncertainty for the government to raise funds. If the tax revenue comes from diversified source, then any reduction in tax revenue on account of any one cause is bound to be small.

How to Make Changes to Your MCAT Registration

How to Make Changes to Your MCAT Registration When you choose an MCAT test date, pay the registration fees, and complete your MCAT registration, you never figure that you may have to make a change. However, when it comes to your MCAT registration, you can certainly make changes if life doesnt work out according to your carefully made plans. Read on for ways to change your test center, change your test date or time, or cancel your MCAT registration. Change Your MCAT Test Center, Test Time or Test Date Shifting your test center or registering for a different test date or time isnt really all that difficult, providing there is space at the new center where youd like to test and availability on the dates youve provided. And there are benefits to changing multiple things at once if you need to change your test center and test date, for instance. If you change them separately, youll be charged a rescheduling fee twice. Change them together and youll only be charged once. There are a few caveats, though: You must make a change prior to the Silver Zone registration deadline for the exam for which youre currently registered.You cant change your test date before registration has opened for the new exam date as no special permissions or privileges are granted in registration order to previously registered testers.Rescheduling into an exam date that is within the Bronze Zone will cost you an additional $50. This fee is the difference between the initial Silver Zone registration fee ($275) and the initial Bronze Zone registration fee ($325). Cancel Your MCAT Registration Lets say youre called away on military duty. Or, heaven forbid, theres a death in your immediate family. Or, youve decided that you dont want to take the MCAT on your registered date and youre not sure when (or if!) youd like to register again. What can you do? If theres no emergency- youd just like to cancel for your own personal reasons- then here are the details: You must cancel before the end of the Gold Zone registration deadline in order to receive a partial refund- $135 for standard testers and $50 for FAP recipients.If you cancel after the Gold Zone registration deadline, you will not receive a refund at all! So youd better make sure youd really like to cancel.If you decide to register for a new test date in the same calendar year in which youve canceled, then youll have to pay the entire registration fee again, along with a rescheduling fee, which is nonrefundable. If youve experienced a crisis like being hospitalized or having a death in the family OR youre called away on military duty or to help medically in a catastrophic event, then you can receive a maximum of $135 no matter when the cancellation occurs. If youre a FAP recipient, youll receive a $50 cancellation reimbursement. Youll need to contact the MCAT Resource Center either by phone (202) 828-0690 or by email at mcataamc.org for instructions regarding canceling during a crisis. Please note that youll be required to provide either military papers explaining the dates of your deployment and length of service, a funeral program or death certificate, or medical documentation explaining the duration of your hospital stay. Make an MCAT Registration Change Here If youve decided you need to change your MCAT registration for any reason, you can log into the MCAT Scheduling and Registration System to make the necessary adjustments to your testing experience.

Establish an International Business in Frontier Market Research Paper

Establish an International Business in Frontier Market - Research Paper Example As it is, the value chain extends from the coffee growers at the extensive large scale farm and small scale farms, to the factory for drying and husking and to the millers who take over the grinding process. The unpacked coffee goes through the sorting process at the millers that is supervised by the coffee board of Kenya for quality and grading purposes. Marketing agents then take over the sales process. This is the likely scenario where the company can come in. The selling is done through either direct sale by highly unregulated but established and networked brokers who then sell the coffee to the overseas buyers or through auctions at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange that are well regulated by the Kenya Coffee Traders Association. Coffee exporters in Kenya opt for the auction procedure because of its associated transparency in pricing. The company would also pursue this option as it seeks to break into the coffee export business in Kenya. Global coffee consumption is on the rise thus boosting demand. Global demand has also been increased by other increasing uses of coffee especially in the medical field that were previously unknown. The increasing global demand of the product provides an international business opportunity for the company. Kenya is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. Its strategic geographical location makes it a suitable location for conducting an export business. The country also has a relatively calm political environment compared to other frontier markets in Africa. Turbulence was experienced in the 2007 elections but a new constitution dispensation and the increased democratic space has seen the country claim the bragging rights as one of the most mature democracies in Africa. The prevailing stable political environment creates a favorable investment climate for international investors (Hill 214). As the

Evolutionary development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Evolutionary development - Essay Example The view is given a new paradigm by Neil Shubin, (2008), a principal paleontologist who discerned the "missing link". He tried to trace the evolution through organs of human body. In his book Your Inner Fish, Shubin has enlightened people by establishing correlation between fossils and DNA. There exists similarity between human hands and fins of fish. Through his outstanding inscription, Shubin has elucidated the process of evolution in an easy manner which an ordinary person can understand. Your Inner Fish is one of the most invigorating, intellectually articulated thoughts, and convincing systematic scientific explorations; it is a chronicle of true voyage, potentially changes the outlook about the human body. Your Inner Fish establishes the similarity between the humans and fish and elucidate that any human body is a live example of the whole narration of evolution. Human body possess genome links that is already an established fact but humans also depict the whole gamut of evolution which finds molecular basis too with the similarity in terms of DNAs and RNAs in the genes. Shubin is not only an eminent scientist but he has proved his worth in the form of coherent and stylish author, besides being an irrepressibly excited coach who possesses wittiness, aptitude and cleverness who mesmerizes the readers with his thoughts and therefore readers are able to understand and formulate a real picture of the evolution. One of the finest ways to teach the students the similarity between various animals and humans. The simplest roadmap to their lies in fish (Shubin, 2008). "The archives of natural history are filled with †¦ cases of species formation exploding as a response to ecological opportunity.†¦Natural history becomes all the more pleasing and interesting when we look at it through the lens of evolutionary theory and search for the