HUMAN COLONY FORMATION 



If indeed all of these implements were suddenly taken 

 away from society, the status of the surviving individu- 

 als would probably for many generations revert to an 

 extremely primitive level. 



It is in this connection of interest to note, that the 

 first societies to develop a reasonable level of culture 

 at the dawn of history, devoted a considerable part of 

 their total energies to the fashioning of elaborate to- 

 tems which apparently had little immediate functional 

 importance. The building of pyramids and temples 

 falls clearly into this category. These structures cer- 

 tainly had no direct effect upon the food supply or pro- 

 tection of the tribe, even though they were usually in- 

 tended to accomplish these aims by appealing to the 

 proper deity. Interestingly enough they did in their 

 own way serve their purpose. Not of course in the man- 

 ner officially proclaimed — but by serving as seats of 

 theocratic and secular power which were essential for 

 the continuing integration of the social body. It there- 

 fore appears that many of the activities of society which 

 have been regarded as non-utilitarian, have actually a 

 very definite utility, as they are intimately associated 

 with the societal integration process. 



This concept sheds light on the function of art in so- 

 ciety and should help to clarify many questions in 

 aesthetics. Art from the earliest times has been more 

 than an attempt to imitate the things found in nature. 

 It arose out of man's need to create order in his en- 



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