"The habit of building houses upon piles, which was first forced upon the people by the position they had chosen, was afterwards followed as a matter of taste, just as it is in Holland"

Edward Burnett Tylor, a pioneering anthropologist, supplies an intriguing observation in this quote. At its core, the declaration explores the adaptive nature of human societies and how customizeds initially borne out of need can progress into cultural choices or visual options.

At first, Tylor highlights a useful response to environmental constraints. The "routine of developing homes upon piles" was originally a service to the obstacles provided by a particular geographic setting. This could describe living in locations vulnerable to flooding, marshy lands, or locations with high water tables, where constructing homes on raised platforms was a useful need. Such an architectural method would mitigate risks connected with water damage and provide a stable living environment in spite of tough conditions.

Nevertheless, Tylor points out a fascinating cultural evolution: what began as an environmental adjustment slowly transformed into a stylistic choice, "as a matter of taste". This shift symbolizes a cultural assimilation where options transcend their purely practical origins, ending up being embedded within the aesthetic and identity of a community. In time, the elevation of homes on stacks becomes associated not just with survival, however with cultural identity, custom, and even charm.

Tylor draws a parallel with Holland, understood for its low-lying geography and substantial system of dikes and water management. The Dutch, mastering their landscape, integrated water management services into their culture. The advancement of stunning towns with homes along canals, elevated slightly to compete with their watery environments, becomes renowned of Dutch identity. Here, Tylor suggests that the interplay of environment and culture discovered in Holland is illustrative of a wider human experience where necessity informs taste.

Eventually, Tylor's quote assesses the vibrant relationship in between human beings and their environments, where survival-driven innovations can develop into cherished cultural characteristics, showing the elaborate tapestry of human adaptation and cultural development.