Religious Aspects of the Cultural Landscape

Religion is a very powerful force in shaping the cultural landscape. Think about big cities you have visited. The built environment often has, cemeteries, shrines or sites, which give the landscape character. Churches are often among the most prominent buildings visible on the skyline. History shows that church structures are often built to last hundreds of years, cost large amounts of resources, and have wonderful shapes which reflect some of the basic tenets of the religion. A great example is Notre Dame in Paris. There are also shrines and holy places which, when understood, explain significant features in the cultural landscape. Two examples are given here of how religion can influence the cultural landscape. The first is a place called Hamare, in Africa. The second is the eerily beautiful place called Machuu Pichuu, a city from the Incan culture created in the rocks of the Andes Mountains at an altitude of over 7,000 feet.

The picture at the left is a place in Africa called Hamare. Notice the absence of forest except in the middle of the picture. Why would this be? Why not just sparse vegetation as in the rest of the picture? Have people influenced the growth of this wood in this arid place? This is an example of religion creating a sacred place (sacred woods have special meaning in many African cultures and folklore) the cultural landscape. This is a sacred wood and, therefore, has been preserved.

The clickable links (below) require your computer to have a newer version of QuickTime player/plugin. It is a QuickTime Virtual Reality image. If your browser already has an adequate version, (probably QuickTime player 4 or newer) your cursor will turn into a circle with a dot in the middle after the picture is loaded. If not, you will need to go to the Apple home page and download a free updated plugin.

View more images which show what influence religion has on the landscape by clicking here.
 
 

Machuu Pichuu

You will now enjoy a 360 degree view of the ancient city of Machuu Pichuu. You will start the process by clicking on the text link below this paragraph. Finish reading the paragraph before you do that. You will be able to scroll the image to the left and right when your cursor becomes a circle with a dot in the middle while on the image. While looking at the sights, think about why this city would be carved out of rock at over 7,000 feet altitude.  The questions  (2) may be asked to help you read any landscape. Not all of them, however, may be applicable to any one landscape.

  • Why was it built?
  • What function did it serve?
  • What types of structures?
  • What size are the buildings?
  • Is there a difference between the original and present uses?
  • What patterns are there to streets? Can you determine corridors of circulation?
  • Are there any "anchors" to the development of the space? Some focal points in the area?
  • What methods of transportation means do you see--any vestiges of left over methods?
  • What types of people, age, gender and vocation, do you or would you expect to be in the area?
  • What public facilities are there and how would they be used?
  • Can you discern boundaries of any type?
  • Are variable land uses apparent, both in type and in quality, bordering the open spaces?
  • Notice the gateways or entryways. Do they seem to have any significance, especially on the overall sense of the place?
  • Can you identify any special rules of human behavior in this landscape? Is it possible that rules have evolved over time?
  • Take note of places for people to sit, especially around and near the center.
  • Make a "mind map" of the arrangement of space around the center or around special features such as rivers, ponds, overlooks.

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    When you are finished viewing, write a one page or less summary of what you speculate this cultural landscape is all about. Share your main ideas with another learner. Finally, test your theories against what others have written about machuu Pichuu by clicking on the "Learn more..."link.

    Click to Examine QTVR image of a Famous Cultural Landscape (Machuu Pichuu


    Learn more about the fascinating Inca city of Machuu Pichuu

    Uxmal

    Extra Practice! A second image is that of a place called Uxmal in Mexico. Apply the same questions you just used at Machuu Pichuu and try to decide what this cultural landscape is all about.
    Click on the word hypertext link "MAP" to see a map which may help your analysis. You'll see a simple map of Uxmal and you can click on the arrows to see ground level photos.

    When you are ready, write and share a one page or less summary of your speculations and then read what others think.    Click Here

    If you wish to check out your theories about why Uxmal existed and what went on there, click on one or both of these link :
    Uxmal Source 1
    Uxmal Source 2