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.