ANTHRO 1AA3, Exam

study set for ANTHRO 1AA3, Sex Food & Death -- McMaster University

Fieldwork

Varied research methods in anthropology, including site visits, living with subjects, and excavations.

Culture

Learned and shared behaviors shaping human experience, encompassing foodways, religion, and social norms.

Holism

Integrating knowledge about human society, culture, environment, and biology as interconnected aspects.

Biocultural Approaches

Understanding humans as influenced by both biological and cultural factors.

Cultural Relativism

Research approach contextualizing behavior within a society's cultural frame.

Archaeology

Study of human material culture, including artifacts, buildings, and landscapes.

Biological Anthropology

Study of human evolution, behavior, and adaptation through a biological lens.

Cultural Anthropology

Study of contemporary cultures and societies through participant observation and interviews.

Linguistic Anthropology

Study of language in human societies, encompassing structural and sociolinguistics.

Paleoanthropology

Study of human evolution through fossil and archaeological records.

Forensic Anthropology

Application of skeletal analysis in archaeology to solve criminal cases.

Paleopathology

Study of ancient diseases in human remains.

Medical Anthropology

Study of health and illness within cultural, historical, and political contexts.

Sex

Bodily classification based on reproductive anatomy and secondary sex characteristics.

Gender

Socially constructed roles and behaviors associated with primary and secondary sex traits.

Intersex

Conditions with both male and female reproductive organs, not fitting the sex binary.

Travesti

Individuals assigned male at birth who identify as 'feminine' without considering themselves 'men' or 'women'.

Evolution

Biological and cultural changes in species over generations.

Bipedalism

Ability to walk on two legs instead of four.

Savannah Hypothesis

Theory suggesting bipedalism evolved due to habitat shift and diet changes.

Hominin

Primate species closely related to humans, including direct ancestors.

Hominid

Biological group encompassing hominins and other related species.

Hominoid

Superfamily including hominins, hominids, and lesser apes like gibbons.

Relative Dating

Determining age in relation to other subjects.

Absolute Dating

Providing a numerical date for artifacts manufacture or use.

Primitive Features/Traits

Inherited traits from distant ancestors.

Derived Features/Traits

Unique anatomical traits appearing through mutation in modern humans.

Strepsirrhines

Suborder of primates including lemurs and lorises with specific dental and facial features.

Haplorrhines

Suborder of primates including tarsiers, monkeys, apes, and humans with distinct nasal and lip features.

Platyrrhines

New World anthropoids like **** monkeys with unique dental formula, flat nose, and prehensile tails.

Catarrhines

Old World anthropoids like baboons and humans with a different dental formula and nostril orientation.

Don Kulick

Author of a paper on Travesti, a gender identity in Brazil.

Margaret Mead

Anthropologist known for participant-observation work in Samoa and Papua New Guinea, studying gender and cultural variations.

Lactase

Enzyme allowing milk digestion tied to lactase persistence

Agricultural Practice

Impacts diets of cultures

Lactase Activity Decline

Occurs in most populations during childhood

Lactase Persistence

High rates in northern Europeans, south Asians, and other populations

Fermented Milk Products

Include yogurt, kefir, and cheese in lactase-deficient populations

Cheese Making

Involves draining lactose-rich whey from milk solids

Food as Cultural

Food choices influenced by culture, religion, and social aspects

Food Preferences

Significantly impact individual diets

Food Taboo

Avoidance of specific foods beyond simple dislike

Food Restrictions

Periodic denial of certain foods, like raw fish for pregnant women

Geophagy

Intentional consumption of earth, like clay and chalk

The Sacred Cow

Cows revered in Indian culture due to economic and religious significance

Nyotaimori

Japanese tradition of eating sushi off a naked woman's body

Milk Consumption in the US

Perceived as essential for fetal growth, lactation, and bone health

William Rathje

Archaeologist known for the Garbology project in Tucson, Arizona

Biological Profile

Includes skeletal tissues, age, stature, sex, and unique traits

Pelvis (Female)

Wider greater pelvis, shorter sacrum, oval pelvic inlet

Pelvis (Male)

Narrow greater pelvis, longer sacrum, heart-shaped pelvic inlet

Skull (Female)

Rounded forehead, less pronounced brow ridge

Skull (Male)

Sloping forehead, vertical ramus with flared gonial angles

Perimortem Trauma

Injuries at or near time of death, e.g., damaged bones

Antemortem Trauma

Injuries before death, showing healing progress

Postmortem Trauma

Injuries occurring after death

Taphonomy

Study of organic remains' transition to fossils

Autolysis

Cell destruction by released enzymes

Putrefaction

Decay of organic matter, produces foul odor

Decomposition

Breakdown of dead organism into simpler matter

Medicolegal Significance

Assessing relevance of remains for legal cases

Body Farms

Research facilities studying human decomp

William Bass

Established Anthropology Research Facility in 1981

Tracy Rogers

Forensic science director focusing on skeletal analysis

Kristina Killgrove

Her research in Oplontis (small town near Pompeii) using bioarcheology to study how people lived before the eruption of the volcano 

Sarah Baartman

Victim of human sexual trafficking due to body type

Embalming

Preserving a corpse from decay, often with fluids

Return to the Earth

Various burial rituals like cremation or sky burials

Secondary Burial

Moving remains to a secondary spot, includes retreatment

Funerals

Ceremonies honoring the deceased

Mortuary Archaeology

Focuses on cemeteries, burials, and grave goods

Grave Goods

Items left in burials reflecting social status

Burial Rituals

Expression of culture, values, and beliefs

Repatriation

Return of items to their place of origin

Brain Death

Complete non-communicative brain functions

Taphophobia

Fear of being buried alive

CRM Archaeology

Cultural resource management for respectful retrieval

Decolonization

Confronting colonial legacies' impact on cultures

Body Politics

How political and social forces control bodies for collective needs

Sickness

Socially recognized expectations for ill individuals, may include stigma or disbelief

Healer

Individual with specialist knowledge and power in healing, distinct from everyday caregivers

Biomedical

Mainstream medical practitioners like doctors, nurses, and midwives

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Includes chiropractors, naturopaths, and homeopaths, outside mainstream medicine

Traditional Healers

Specialists like Sangomas, Christian Faith Healers, Tvix need, and h'iloletik

Healing

Process of restoring health, influenced by culture, roles filled by various practitioners

Medical Pluralism

Coexistence of multiple healing systems within a culture

Virgin Soil Epidemics

Initial outbreak of a new disease in an area, often a result of colonialism

Leprosy

Infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae bacteria

• affects extremities and face

  • destruction of maxillary pallet and nasal cartilage

  • loss of pencilling of fingers and toes

  • general infection

Harris Lines

Sclerotic lines in long bones indicating growth disruption, seen on x-rays

Vitamin D Deficiency

Low levels cause bone issues, thinning, brittleness, and misshapen bones

Osteological Paradox

Interpretation of skeletal lesions as resilience or frailty in diseased individuals

Tuberculosis

Widespread bacterial infection, transmitted through respiratory droplets

Rickets

Bone disease in children due to vitamin D deficiency, leads to weakened bones

Syphilis

Chronic bacterial disease spread through sexual contact or congenitally

Scurvy

Disease from vitamin C deficiency, causes bleeding gums and skin

• pattern of lesions across the skeleton

Ebola

Disease outbreak in Africa affecting the immune system

Humoral Health System

Belief that balancing bodily fluids restores health

Ayurvedic Depression

Mental health equilibrium through Gunas, Tridosha, and Panchabhuta in Ayurveda

Navajo Healing

Blends traditional and Christian beliefs, includes NAC healing ceremonies

Koro

Culture-bound syndrome where individuals fear genitalia shrinkage