What Do Objects We Accumulate Reveal?

Going to host or attend a party in someone’s home? Concerned that the conversation will flag or, worse, trend toward bitter political debate? Consider this:
 
If an archaeologist were to find the ruins of your home long after your demise, would he or she be able to discern much about your beliefs and values? What if, in the crumbling artifacts of your coffee table or mantel, there were remnants of your treasured knickknacks? Would those objects suffice as a history lesson, possibly revealing the character of your life and society? Assume, for this hypothetical, that nothing written remains—no diary or journal, no refrigerator posting, and no letter to or from Aunt Matilda.
 
Now, look around. You are the archaeologist. Interpret what you see as objectively as you can. You will probably say, “That’s easy.” But do so by first blanking out all you currently know about the specifics of your culture. You have only the broken remains of objects in this scenario of discovery about an individual and, by extrapolation, about a people or culture.
 
Have I just invented a new parlor game for your next party? You’re welcome.