Artifacts of Social Hierarchy

Artifacts of social hierarchy are physical objects that reveal or reinforce the social status and power of different groups within a society. These can include clothing, jewelry, symbols, architecture, or possessions that indicate rank, wealth, or authority. For example, ornate crowns or grandeur palaces symbolize high status, while simple tools or modest homes suggest lower social standing. Such artifacts help us understand historical social structures by showing how people expressed identity, authority, or wealth, and how societal roles were visually represented and reinforced through material culture.