Material Culture

I think that "material culture" is very similar to anthropology or archeology in at least looking at time periods or use. I agree with the article when it says anything can be a material posession from your car to the contents of your kitchen. Things one uses on a daily basis, are considered material posessions but i dont think they are extravagant in any way like a tooth brush or a hair brush. Unless of corse if they are made of solid gold or something like that. But then again that is one of those things the article talked about that could possibly point to someones status in society.

In terms of material things that "speak" i think that ancient cultures posessions can do just that. Studying Greek Anthropolgy/archeology I have come to learn about such items. They used the burial ritual of cremation when someone passed for people of high class. The passed away was buried with material posessions such as jewlerly and wine cups. Sometimes if it was speical like a hero or something that person would get buried with his horse and weapons. That was a great honor.
It is a very interdiscillinary study that goes back long time and will continue in the future.