essentials of physical anthropology
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Essentials of Physical Anthropology
Fifth Edition
Chapter 1
Introduction
Chapter Outline
What is Anthropology? Cultural Anthropology Archaeology Linguistic Anthropology Physical Anthropology Physical Anthropology and the Scientific
Method The Anthropological Perspective
Hominids
Humans are hominids, belonging to the taxonomic family Hominidae.
Bipedalism, walking on two legs, is a critical feature of the hominids.
Humans are members of the Order Primates, the group of mammals that includes prosimians, monkeys and apes.
Culture
technologies subsistence patterns housing types clothing
religion values gender roles marriage and family
Strategies humans use to adapt to their environment:
What Is Anthropology?
The study of humankind. Integrates sociology, economics, history,
psychology, and biology. Comprises three subfields:
– cultural anthropology– archaeology– physical, or biological, anthropology
Culture and Evolution
Over time, cultural and biology interacted. Humans are said to be the result of biocultural
evolution. Biocultural interactions resulted in
anatomical, biological and behavioral changes.
Cultural Anthropology
Studies all aspects of human behavior.Subfields:
– Urban anthropology deals with issues of inner cities.
– Medical anthropology explores relationship between culture and health.
Archaeology
Study and interpretation of material remains recovered from earlier cultures.
Information about culture comes from artifacts and material culture left by early hominids.
Linguistic Anthropology
Study of the origin of language and speech. The use of language is a unique human
characteristic. Relationship between culture and language:
– How do members of a society perceive phenomena?
– How does the use of language shape perceptions?
Physical Anthropology
Study of human biology in the framework of evolution.
Subfields:– Paleoanthropology - human evolution– Anthropometry - measurement of body parts– Primatology: study of nonhuman primates– Osteology: study of skeletons
Evolution
A change in the genetic makeup of a population from one generation to the next.
Genetic alterations within populations: microevolution.
Genetic change resulting in the appearance of a new species: macroevolution.
Physical Anthropologyand the Scientific Method
State the research problem. Develop a hypothesis. Test the hypothesis through data collection and
analysis. If the hypothesis is verified, it becomes a
theory.
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