Download - Mmmppp intro
Tools of History: MMMPPP
Introducing MMMPPP
• MMMPPP is an acronym to help you analyse artefacts.• It is a series of 6 main questions you can ask as appropriate.• Often you will revisit questions as you learn more about an object.• A MMMPPP analysis sheet is usually accompanied by a space to do a
drawing.• Drawing helps us to look closely at an object.
Materials…
Questions to ask• What is it made of?• Animal? Vegetable? Mineral?• Metal? Pottery? Stone?
Wood? Fibre? Plastic? Kryptonite?
Analysis
Materials…
Questions to ask• What is it made of?• Animal? Vegetable? Mineral?• Metal? Pottery? Stone?
Wood? Fibre? Plastic? Kryptonite?
Analysis• 2 sorts of silver coloured
metals.• Steel? Silver? Tin? Pewter?
Manufacture…
Questions to ask• How was it made?• Was it handmade or mass
produced?• What processes were used?
Analysis
Manufacture…
Questions to ask• How was it made?• Was it handmade or mass
produced?• What processes were used?• Makers’ marks?
Analysis• Cast in a mould (line on
edge) and polished.• Probably mass produced.• Marks: • STEE • WD <anchor> M O• M O
Main user…
Questions to ask• Who would have used the
artefact?• Who uses similar objects
today?
Analysis
Main user…
Questions to ask• Who would have used the
artefact?• Who uses similar objects
today?
Analysis• Wealthy person? Elderly
person? Fashionable person?
Purpose…
Questions to ask• What would it have been used for?• Are there any signs of wear or use?• Is it a container? Could it be a tool?
A toy?• Why is it made of the materials it
is?• Does it feature symbolism or
representation?• Is it decorative?• Religious purpose?
Analysis
Purpose…
Questions to ask• What would it have been used for?• Are there any signs of wear or use?• Key features: Cutting edge?
Handle? Lever? Grinder? • Is it a container? Could it be a
tool? A toy?• Why is it made of the materials it
is?• Does it feature symbolism or
representation?• Is it decorative?• Religious purpose?
Analysis• Handle and curved scoop• Strong scoop – needs to hold
up under pressure• Worn on inside of scoop• Decoration – flowers and
foliage, 2 cranes under a palm tree
Preservation & Provenance…
Questions to ask• How did it survive?• What condition is it in?• Where is it from?• Where has it been kept?• Who has owned it in the
past?• Who owns it?
Analysis
Preservation & Provenance…Questions to ask• How did it survive?• What condition is it in?• Where is it from?• What period is it from?• Where has it been kept?• Who has owned it in the
past?• Who owns it?
Analysis• Kept by my grandmother• Good condition – some wear,
some tarnish• Australia? UK? • Victorian? (mid-late 19th
Century)• Now owned by Mr T.
Points to…
Questions to ask• What does this object suggest
about the society that made it?• What could they do?• How did they use materials?• Were they using local or foreign
materials?• Did they have to work together?• Did they value beautiful things?
Analysis
Points to…
Questions to ask• What does this object suggest
about the society that made it?• What could they do?• How did they use materials?• Were they using local or foreign
materials?• Did they have to work together?• Did they value beautiful things?
AnalysisA society where:• people live long enough to grow
old or are silly enough to wear tight shoes• People are rich enough to own
shoes• Industry is developed enough to
manufacture mass produced metal tools• People want to have decorated
things in their house
Activity 1: MMMPPP in practice• Form pairs and examine either an ancient or modern artefact.• Write your observations using the MMMPPP questions and complete a
drawing on the worksheet provided.• Then repeat with an artefact from the other period (ancient if had
modern before and vice versa).• Be ready to share with class.