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.