Essay – Exploring Ancient Mysteries

Choose one (1) of the topics below and develop a three to four (3-4)
paragraph essay (of at least 250-500 words) which adequately address the
topic you have chosen.

Topic Choices

• There
  have been many theories regarding how the pyramids at Giza were
  constructed. Most experts agree that they were constructed as burial
  monuments for pharaohs, but “how” these ancient people constructed
  monuments of such great size without modern machinery is a mystery which
  is still being debated.
• No one can say for certain what
  happened to the great urban Mayan civilization, but theories abound and
  include varied possible alternatives to explain the relatively abrupt
  and mysterious disappearance of the Mayan civilization.
• Tutankhamen
  died young, at approximately eighteen (18) years of age. However, his
  cause of death has been the subject of quite varied scholarly theories
  and conclusions. Did he die of an injury, of illness, of murder, or
  something else?.
• Minoan Crete was a major civilization in its
  time, but several theories have been advanced to explain its demise,
  including speculations associating it with mythical Atlantis. What were
  the causes of Minoan Civilization’s decline?
• Great Zimbabwe is
  an enormous complex of structures in East Africa. Since the builders and
  occupants left no written records, several theories have developed as
  to the identity of its builders and the functions of the structures.
  Which theory makes the most sense?
• The monumental size and
  complexity of the Tomb of Shihuangdi is astounding, yet its location and
  construction details were to be kept secret. What was the emperor’s
  purpose for such an elaborate, secret burial place?
• Other topic choice recommended and approved by the professor and supported by the grading rubric.

Write a three to four (3-4) paragraph paper in which you:

1. Clearly
   state the “mystery” and provide a brief summary of at least two (2)
   reasonable and scholarly theories which could explain the mystery.
   Because some theories may sound far-fetched, include the source or
   promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a
   theologian, etc.
2. After summarizing at least two (2) scholarly
   theories, identify one (1) of the theories as the most plausible and
   provide at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have
   chosen is the best one to explain the mystery. This will involve some
   critical reasoning skills on your part.
3. Use at least two (2). (Three [3] sources total as the minimum) Note:
   Wikipedia and other similar Websites do not qualify as academic
   resources. You are highly encouraged to use the Resource Center tab at
   the top of your Blackboard page.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be
  typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with
  one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA
  style format. Both in-text citations and a References list are required.
  Citations and references must follow APA style format. Check with your
  professor for any additional instructions. (Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the course shell for guidance).
• Include
  a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s
  name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover
  page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment
  page length. For our purposes, you may omit any abstract page.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Explain how key social, cultural, and artistic contributions contribute to historical changes.
• Explain the importance of situating a society’s cultural and artistic expressions within a historical context.
• Examine
  the influences of intellectual, religious, political, and
  socio-economic forces on social, cultural, and artistic expressions.
• Identify major historical developments in world cultures during the eras of antiquity to the Renaissance
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in the study of world cultures.
• Write clearly and concisely about world cultures using proper writing mechanics.