Anthropology

Archeaology

Study of human history and prehistory through digging and analyzing artifacts.

Evolution

Change in population traits over time (e.g., new species or extinction).

Natural Selection

Change in genetic makeup as fitter individuals survive/reproduce.

Participant Observation

Living with a group and engaging in their daily activities.

Informants

Culture members who teach outsiders about their culture.

Semi-Structured Interviews

General questions asked to informants to learn culture.

Explicit Cultural Knowledge

Basic cultural info (kinship, myths, history).

Tacit Cultural Knowledge

Hard-to-explain cultural concepts (gestures, personal space).

Etic Perspective

Outsider’s analytical view, often biased.

Emic Perspective

Insider’s perspective based on personal experience.

Concrete Notes:

Detailed, accurate notes with sufficient information.

Vague Notes

Insufficient information in notes.

Reflexivity

Reflecting on your own biases to avoid affecting research.

Multiculturalism

Coexistence of diverse cultures within one society.

Enculturation

Learning culture’s ideas, beliefs, and values.

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

Language shapes culture’s reality and thought.

Euphemisms

Words used to soften uncomfortable topics.

Culturally Constructed

Created by culture, not nature.

Clan

Group tracing descent to a (real/mythical) common ancestor.

Lineage

Family tracing descent to a common ancestor.

Bilineal

Descent/inheritance from both parents.

Patrilineal

Descent/inheritance from father’s side.

Matrilineal

Descent/inheritance from mother’s side.

Bridewealth

Groom’s family pays bride’s father for marriage.

Arranged Marriage:

Marriage arranged by family/social connections.

Free Choice

Marriage chosen willingly by the individuals.

Monogamy

One spouse at a time.

Polygamy

Multiple spouses.

Polygyny

One man with multiple wives.

Polyandry

One woman with multiple husbands.

Fraternal Polyandry

Woman married to multiple brothers.

Same-Sex Marriage

Marriage between two people of the same gender.

Rites of Passage

• Definition: Ceremony or event marking significant life status changes.

• Purpose: Help individuals understand new social roles.

• Three Phases:

  1. Separation/Segregation: Removed from familiar environment (e.g., birth).

  2. Transition: Rituals marking movement between life stages.

  3. Incorporation/Reintegration: Adapting to new role and rejoining society.

• Common Examples: Birth, adolescence, leaving home, weddings, death.

Margaret Mead

Compared Samoan & American adolescents for personality differences.

Ruth Benedict

Studied aboriginal & Japanese cultures on personal and cultural influence.

Bronislaw Malinowski

• Studied New Guinea cultures; developed functionalism.

Raymond Dart

Discovered Australopithecus skull linking humans and apes

Louis Leakey

Found fossils in Kenya; worked with Stone Age tools.

Jane Goodall

Observed chimpanzee tool use and social structure.

Birute Galdikas

Studied orangutans’ social structure.

Dian Fossey

Studied mountain gorillas’ affection & aggression patterns.

Cultural Relativism

No culture is superior; internal rules must be accepted

Functional Theory

Culture elements function to meet individual needs.

Cultural Materialism

Environment influences culture development and ideas.

Feminist Anthropology

Explores gender stereotypes as culturally constructed.

Postmodernism

True knowledge of the world is impossible.

Forensic Anthropology

• Study Focus: Human skeletal remains to determine age, sex, cause of death, trauma.

• Death Determination: Analyze trauma, disease, environmental effects on bones.

• Agency Support: Help FBI with cold cases, mass disasters, war crimes, human trafficking.

• Bones Tell Us: Age at death, health, nutrition history.

What evidence exists that supports evolution as more than a theory?

Fossils are concrete evidence that represents evolution as more than a theory. Evolution is considered a theory by many as a theory is backed up by evidence not purely by inferring.

Key Hominins:

• Australopithecines: Bipedal, 3.5 million years ago, East Africa.

• Homo Habilis: “Handy Human,” 2.4–1.4 million years ago, larger brain.

• Homo Erectus: Used fire, advanced tools.

• Homo Sapiens: Modern humans, emerged ~300,000 years ago.

• Neanderthals: Europe/Asia, used tools, clothing, burial customs.

Physical Anthropology

• Human Traits: Empathy, pain, communication, creativity, complex thought, self-awareness, emotions.

• Origin: Ancient primates over millions of years; Homo sapiens ~300,000 years ago in Africa.

• Human-Primate Similarities: DNA, skeleton, opposable thumbs, social behavior, intelligence.

Anthropology Research Methods & Ethics

• Guidelines:

  • Inform participants of research.

  • Participation voluntary.

  • Consent must be culturally appropriate.

  • Informants can review feedback.

  • Respect privacy, dignity, safety.

  • Research should have clear purpose.

  • Research should be published transparently.

Culture & Identity

• Influences on Canadian Identity:

  • First Nations & Inuit: Government, laws, economy, art.

  • British & French: Language, legal systems, traditions.

  • U.S.: Politics, media, entertainment, economy.

• Media: TV, music, literature reflect and shape values.

• Family: Passes down traditions, beliefs, views on work & community.

Cultural Appreciation vs. Cultural Appropriation

• Cultural Appropriation: Mocking/disrespecting culture without permission.

  • Examples: Wearing bindis or kimonos as fashion.

  • Harmful because it degrades meaning, enforces stereotypes, ignores history.

• Cultural Appreciation: Respectful understanding and celebration.

  • Examples: Learning language, attending festivals, respecting traditions.

Culture & Language

• Language Influences: Social media, institutions, cultural interaction.

• Language Differences: Words and sentence structures vary in meaning by culture.

• English Adaptability: Language evolves rapidly.

• Body Language: Gestures and space have culture-specific meanings.

  • Example: Smiling, kissing, thumbs-up vary globally.

Free Choice

Marriage chosen willingly.

Romantic Love

Based on attraction, shared interests, values.

Sternberg’s Triangle:

• Passion: Physical attraction.

• Intimacy: Emotional closeness.

• Commitment: Decision to stay loyal.

History of Family:

• 1920s: Dating normalized.

• 1950s-1960s: Large families standard.

• Great Depression: Smaller families.

• Late 20th - 21st century: Diverse families, divorce legalized in 1986.

Pros/Cons of Free Choice:

• Pros: Emotional satisfaction, personal compatibility.

• Cons: Possible overlooking red flags, idealized partners, loss of connection.

Common Marriage Traditions

• Hindu Marriage: Saptapadi (7 steps around sacred fire), arranged marriages, lifelong commitment.

• Christian Marriage: Church ceremony, vows, rings, white dress.

• Muslim Marriage: Nikah contract, signed Nikah Nama, mehr gift, imam-led ceremony.

• Sikh Wedding: Anand Karaj, four laavan circles around Guru Granth Sahib.

what is the diffrence betweel the man and womans skeletal structure

The male and female skeletal structures have key differences due to biological and functional reasons, mainly related to childbirth and muscle attachment. Here are the main distinctions:

1. Skull:

• Males: Larger, with more pronounced brow ridges and a square jaw.

• Females: Smaller, with a smoother forehead and a more rounded jaw.

2. Pelvis:

• Males: Narrower, taller, and more funnel-shaped.

• Females: Wider, shorter, and more open to accommodate childbirth.

3. Rib Cage:

• Males: Larger and more robust.

• Females: Smaller and more rounded.

4. Limb Bones:

• Males: Thicker, longer bones with more pronounced muscle attachment points.

• Females: Lighter, shorter bones with less prominent attachment points.

5. Overall Bone Density:

• Males: Higher bone density, making them less prone to osteoporosis.

• Females: Lower bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis with age.

How do they determine the deceased person’s age?

Teeth:

• In children, age is determined by tooth eruption stages, which are well known.

• In adults, age is estimated by tooth wear, but this can be affected by diet and may not be precise.

Bones:

• In younger people (under ~30), age is estimated by looking at epiphyseal fusion (where bones fuse together as the person grows).

• In adults, age is estimated by wear and erosion on bones like the pelvis and ribs. Adults are generally grouped into:

  • Young (20–35)

  • Middle-aged (35–50)

  • Old (50+)

What can we learn about their life through the teeth growth/wear?

• The level of dental wear can show diet (e.g., rough/coarse food in Roman and Medieval times).

• Specific tooth wear patterns can suggest habits or jobs like:

  • Chewing leather

  • Weaving baskets

  • Smoking a pipe

• Tooth diseases also give clues:

  • Caries (cavities) show sugar consumption

  • Calculus (plaque) shows poor dental hygiene

  • Tooth loss and abscesses show infections and long-term oral health issues

What are the three types of trauma on the skeleton?

• Fractures – broken bones from stress or falls (e.g., nose, face, spine)

• Sharp force trauma – cuts from sharp objects like knives or glass

• Blunt force trauma – injuries from a blunt object causing impact damage