Anthropology Explained

Anthropologists use archaeology and prehistoric art to shed light on humanity.

From the Greek words anthropos, meaning human, and logia, meaning study, anthropology covers all aspects of human life, from past to present, from exotic to commonplace. Anthropologists want to know what makes human beings creative, artistic, social, law-abiding or criminal. From the microscopic to the colossal sweep of empires, Anthropology seeks to learn where we were, where we are and what our future might hold.

Components

In the United States, the practice of anthropology draws from the social and biological sciences: sociocultural anthropology, biological/physical anthropology, linguistics and archaeology. Anthropologists focus on complex inquiry into human origins, globalization, treatment and spread of disease, language development and modern industrial and corporate culture. Anthropology is multidisciplinary: it borrows from and contributes to the arts, sciences, professions and disciplines. Anthropologists collaborate and exchange information to better understand the scope of human existence.

Sociocultural Anthropology

Study of present-day cultures in all parts of the world, and the processes and patterns of cultural change is sociocultural or cultural anthropology. Research relies on participant observation, that is, the researcher places himself in the research context for first-hand, extended surveillance. He studies their organization structure, government, spiritual belief, language, art, politics and economics. Social networks, sexuality and educational systems fall in this category. This is the ethnographic method.

Biological (or Physical) Anthropology

Biological and physical anthropologists research human biological origins, primarily by studying human remains. Biological anthropologists study other primates, called primatology; the fossil record, known as paleoanthropology and prehistoric peoples, that is, bio-archaeology. They record health patterns, growth and development, disease and death in living people groups. Biological anthropologists study genetics, anatomy, molecular biology, nutrition, demographics, population diversity and forensics.

Archaeology

Anthropologists use archaeology to examine material evidence like pottery, tools and structures to develop theories about social groups, environmental interactions and adaptations, cultural resource management. Archaeological anthropology seeks to preserve architecture, languages, arts and cultural heritage. Archaeologists use geology, material science, ecology and social organization.

Linguistic Anthropology

Linguistic anthropologists study present-day language use in cultures around the world. They investigate cognition and how languages begin, shape communication, form social identities and groups, quantify and qualify belief and ideology and transfer history.

Applied Anthropology

Employed in numerous public and private sectors, from academic to government agencies, business and medicine, anthropologists conduct research to assess product markets, evaluate public policy, develop educational and social justice programs, generate testing and assessments to improve community health services, promote the arts and improve technology.

References

• Anthropological Association: What is Anthropology
• Anthropologoy UNT: What is Anthropology?
• Boston University: What is Anthropology?
• National Association for the Practice of Anthropology
• Practicing Anthropologists