The Role of Material Culture in Shaping Collective Memory

Abstract

This study examined the role of material culture in shaping collective memory through a mixed-methods experimental design that combined ethnographic inquiry with quantitative modeling. Data were collected from 400 survey respondents, 70 in-depth interviews, and archival analyses across three field sites: diasporic communities, urban neighborhoods, and community museums. Quantitative findings confirmed that temporal depth, sensory engagement, and emotional resonance significantly predicted the strength of collective memory, as measured by the Material Memory Resonance Index (MMRI). Regression analysis further demonstrated that participatory practices such as rituals and exhibitions amplified the Object-Based Memory Impact (OBMI), underscoring the social dimensions of remembering. Longitudinal analysis from 2001 to 2020 revealed that while globalization and digitization have introduced transformations, material objects continue to anchor resilience and continuity in collective narratives.

Qualitative findings enriched these results, showing that objects are not passive relics but active mediators of cultural belonging. Participants described heirlooms as anchors of identity, ritual artifacts as vehicles of solidarity, and museums as contested yet vital spaces for negotiating cultural narratives. Regional comparisons demonstrated that diasporic communities emphasized transgenerational inheritance, urban populations engaged with public monuments and art, and community museums served as sites of memory reclamation. Together, these results highlight that material culture embodies affective, symbolic, and social meanings that enable memory to endure, adapt, and transform. The study concludes that recognizing the role of material culture in sustaining collective memory has significant implications for heritage preservation, cultural policy, and community resilience in an increasingly globalized and digital world.