Anthropology: Unit 1

Anthropology

Exploration of human diversity in time and space

Holism

study of the whole human condition

Society

Organized life in groups to survive, hunt, protect driven instincts and genetics

ex: baboons, bees, ants

Culture

“Uniquely” Human 

Traditions and customs transmitted through learning that govern beliefs and behaviors of the people exposed to them

Adaptation (Cultural or Biological)

process by which organisms cope with environmental forces or stresses

(posed by climate or terrain)

Foraging

Hunting, fishing, and gathering wild plants (many societies still practice this today)

Food Production

Cultivation of plants (agriculture) and domestication of animals

Cultural Anthropology

Study of human society and culture

Ethnography

Based on fieldwork, provides an account of a particular community, society, or culture

Ethnology

based on cross-cultural comparison, involves results of ethnography data gathered in several different societies

Archeological Anthropology (Archaeology)

Describes past human behavior and cultural patterns through material remains

Artifacts

Collected from sites where people have lived

Examples of artifacts

• Objects made and used 

• Tools

• weapons

• Plant and Animal remains 

• Camp Sites, buildings 

• Information about consumption and activities

Excavating

digging through succession of levels at site

Garbology

study of garbage

Garbology: Anthropologists are interested in the difference between what?

• What people report about their behavior

• What their actual behavior is

Biological Anthropology (Physical)

Studies human biological diversity through time and space

Biological Anthropology: 5 key areas

• Human evolution of fossil record

• Human genetics

• Human growth and development

• Human ability to change in response to environment  *biological plasticity 

• Study of non-human primates 

Linguistic Anthropology

Studies language across social and cultural context, and across time and space