WHAT IS WHAT IS ANTHROPOLOGY?ANTHROPOLOGY?

The term originates from two The term originates from two words in Greek: words in Greek:

•(1) anthropos(1) anthropos meaning meaning “man” as in “human being” “man” as in “human being”

•(2) logos (2) logos meaning “study”. meaning “study”.

Consequently we can Consequently we can determine that determine that anthropology anthropology can be defined as: “the study of can be defined as: “the study of human beings”. human beings”.

Yet many other humanities, Yet many other humanities, sciences and social sciences sciences and social sciences could also be defined as “the could also be defined as “the study of human beings” since study of human beings” since the definition itself is so broad.the definition itself is so broad.

Anthropology Anthropology seeks to find the seeks to find the generalities about human life generalities about human life while also explaining the while also explaining the differences. To do this the differences. To do this the examples must include a examples must include a transcultural and historical transcultural and historical perspective.perspective.

Anthropology Anthropology seeks to seeks to understand and explain why understand and explain why people do the things they do and people do the things they do and say the things they say. A goal is say the things they say. A goal is create better understanding create better understanding among people.among people.

Fossils/ArtifactsFossils/ArtifactsAn archaeologist is someone who tries to figure out what life was like in the ancient past by looking at the remains of ancient people – their fossils and their artifacts. An archaeologist must know the difference between an artifact and a fossil.

1. Fossils are remains of living things (plants, animals, people), not of things that were made.

2. Artifacts are remains of things that were made, not the remains of living things.

What is a site?What is a site?

A "site" is a place archaeologists wish to explore.

At the site, archaeologists literally dig, looking for the remains of ancient civilizations. That is why they call the site at which they are working a “dig”.

• Archaeology and anthropology are Archaeology and anthropology are two important tools used by two important tools used by historians to understand prehistoric historians to understand prehistoric sites.sites.