A recent study in Sudan has revealed that culture plays a significant role in shaping how people look at art. The research, conducted by a team of psychologists, cognitive scientists, archaeologists, and heritage managers from European and Sudanese institutions, used eye-tracking technology to investigate cross-cultural differences in perception. The study took place in the medieval monastery at Kom H in Old Dongola, a historic site in northern Sudan that was once the capital of the Kingdom of Makuria.
The team, consisting of Tomasz Michalik, Marwa Satti, Mohammed Hassan Siedahmed, and Tobiasz Trawinski, invited both Sudanese and Western participants to the site and gave them eye-tracking devices to wear in the form of special glasses. As they observed the medieval paintings, the researchers mapped where their eyes fell, for how long, and in which order. The study included 48 Sudanese living in areas around Old Dongola and 19 participants from Western cultural backgrounds, most of whom had limited to moderate knowledge of Christian Nubian art.
The eye-tracking data reveal that Sudanese and Western participants ultimately spent a similar amount of time looking at faces, bodies, attributes, and context, but they arrived there by taking different visual routes. Sudanese participants initially focused on attributes, later looking more at faces and the surrounding context, suggesting a broader way of viewing the paintings. In contrast, Western participants focused more on human figures, particularly faces and bodies, before turning their attention to attributes like objects or clothing or symbols.
The study suggests that these differences in perception may reflect broader cultural tendencies. For example, individualistic cultures may place more emphasis on individuals, while collectivistic cultures focus on the wider group. The researchers believe that a study like this may help develop more culturally adapted approaches to promoting heritage like this. By understanding how culture shapes perception, heritage managers can create narratives that are more responsive to different ways of looking.
The researchers also found that cultural knowledge can make certain elements of an image more familiar, aesthetically appealing, or meaningful, guiding attention towards them. For example, Sudanese participants often commented on attributes representing objects they also encountered in everyday life, such as a key. In contrast, participants from Western cultures familiar with Christian iconography may have been more likely to recognise biblical figures by their faces.
The study's findings have significant implications for the field of archaeology, which has traditionally been dominated by Western perspectives. By involving local communities in the research, interpretation, and management of their cultural heritage, researchers can gain a more nuanced understanding of the past. The study's results suggest that Sudanese and Westerners engage with medieval Nubian paintings in different ways, highlighting the importance of considering diverse perspectives in heritage management.
The researchers hope that their study will contribute to a more inclusive and culturally sensitive approach to heritage management. By recognizing the role of culture in shaping perception, heritage managers can create more effective and engaging narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. The study's findings also underscore the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in understanding the complex relationships between culture, perception, and heritage.
Key points
- The study used eye-tracking technology to investigate cross-cultural differences in perceiving medieval Nubian art in Sudan.
- Sudanese and Western participants took different visual routes when viewing the paintings, reflecting broader cultural tendencies.
- The study's findings have significant implications for the field of archaeology, highlighting the importance of considering diverse perspectives in heritage management.
