Describe and analyze a multimedia video documentary photo story.

Unearthing Everyday Life at an Ancient Site in Greece

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/03/travel/iklaina-archaeology-greece.html?searchResultPosition=1

Unearthing Everyday Life at an Ancient Site in Greece centers on the archaeological findings at Iklaina, which shed light on the daily lives, administrative practices, and societal structures of the Mycenaean people. Professor Michael Cosmopoulos led the excavations at Iklaina, which is believed to have been one of the capitals of the Mycenaean kingdom of Pylos and dates back to between 1500 B.C. and 1200 B.C. The piece features high-resolution photographs capturing the excavation process, artifacts such as pottery fragments and the Linear B tablet, and panoramic views of the site, providing readers with a visual context of the discoveries. The story is conveyed through the perspectives of the archaeologists involved, particularly Michael Cosmopoulos, offering firsthand insights into the significance of the findings and the challenges faced during the excavation.  

I chose this article because history is something that has always interested me. Understanding the past is something that allows us to reflect on the human experience and gauge where we can challenge ourselves today to make progress. My family also comes from Greece, off an Island called Kos, which has similar active archeological sites. 

I also like the focus the archeologists have on the everyday people. When discussing history, especially in the bronze age, it is easy to focus on the Kings and Emperors who won battles, sacked cities, and steered civilizations away from or towards collapse. When doing this, we forget that their actions did not happen in a vacuum and write off the events of everyday people, while seemingly small, undoubtedly pushed humanity forward just the same.   

As a multimedia piece, it is thoughtfully organized, integrating text with visual elements to create a cohesive narrative.  Photographs serve as both illustrative and evidentiary elements, allowing viewers to visualize the artifacts and site layout. The textual content provides detailed explanations of the archaeological findings, such as the Linear B tablet, and their implications for understanding Mycenaean bureaucracy and literacy. The piece demonstrates the power of integrating visuals with narrative text to convey complex subjects effectively. The pictures in the article allow us to see what the archeologists are drawing their conclusions from and allow us to put details of the story together, making a more engaging experience.