An Introduction to Anthropology

Chapter 1

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 What is Anthropology?

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 What is Anthropology?
• It is the study of human culture and
evolutionary aspects of human biology.

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 Subfields of Anthropology
• Anthropology is made up of 4 subfields

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 Subfields of Anthropology
• Anthropology is made up of 4 subfields
• Linguistic Anthropology
• Cultural Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Physical Anthropology

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 Linguistic Anthropology
The study of human speech and language.

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 Linguistic Anthropology
Examples of Linguistic
Anthropology research:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiJ8-2h
Aqm4

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 Cultural Anthropology
The study of all aspects of human behavior.

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 Cultural Anthropology
Examples of Cultural Anthropology
research:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhCruP
BvSjQ&list=PL9pXrgCr7kIzyjoLmBYdiyinfs
3i3SsfA&index=3

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 Archaeology
The study of earlier cultures and ways of
life through scientific recovery, analysis,
and interpretation of material remains.

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 Archaeology
Examples of Archaeology
research:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao4vVcf
vyuE

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 Biological/Physical Anthropology
The study of human biology within the
framework of evolution.

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 Biological/Physical Anthropology
• Examples of Physical
Anthropology research:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BQ50b
nBKI0

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 Science
• A body of knowledge gained
through observation and
experimentation.

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 Scientific Method
• Science is a process of explaining natural
phenomena by means of observation.
• Data is collected that can be studied
and analyzed quantitatively.

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 Scientific Method - Process
• State the research problem.
• Develop a hypothesis (a provisional
explanation).
• Test the hypothesis through data collection
and analysis.
• If the hypothesis is verified, it may support
a theory.

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 Scientific Method Example

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 Scientific Method Example
• State the research problem
• How does tissue mummify? Are
certain environments better at causing
mummification?

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 Scientific Method Example
• Develop a hypothesis.
• I think a wet environment is best for
mummification.

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 Scientific Method Example
• Test the hypothesis through data collection
and analysis.

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 NO!!

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 Scientific Method Example
• Develop a hypothesis.
• I think a cold environment is best for
mummification.

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 Scientific Method Example
• Test the hypothesis through data collection
and analysis.

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 NO!!

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 Scientific Method Example
• Develop a hypothesis.
• I think a dry environment is best for
mummification.

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 Scientific Method Example
• Test the hypothesis through data collection
and analysis.

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 Scientific Method Example
• Verify the hypothesis

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 Scientific Method Example
• Develop a theory
• Dry environments are the best for
mummification!

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 Anthropological Perspective

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 Anthropological Perspective
• A broad perspective that helps us
understand the diversity of the human
experience within the context of biological
and behavioral continuity with other
species.

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 Why the Anthropological Perspective
Matters
• Anthropology offers a wider appreciation
of the human experience, in order to
understand human beings and how our
species came to be.

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 Physical Anthropology
Subfields

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 Genetics
• The study of gene structure and inheritance.

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 Human Variation
• The study of adaptation to environmental
conditions.

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 Paleoanthropology
• The study of human evolution.

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 Primatology
• The study of non-human primates.

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 Anthropometry
• The study of measurements of human
body parts.

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 Osteology
• The study of the human skeleton.

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 Paleopathology
• The study of disease and injury in skeletal
remains.

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 Forensic Anthropology
• The identification of skeletal remains with
regard to the law.

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 Any Questions?!

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