Anthropology

Antropologo social

Bernardino de Sahagún (2)

Human remains

Rosetta Stone

Punu mask Gabon

Anthropology is the scientific study of humans, human behavior, and societies in the past and present. Social anthropology studies patterns of behaviour, while cultural anthropology studies cultural meaning, including norms and values. Linguistic anthropology studies how language influences social life. Biological or physical anthropology studies the biological development of humans.

Overview

Anthropology is a global discipline involving humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Anthropology builds upon knowledge from natural sciences, including the discoveries about the origin and evolution of Homo sapiens, human physical traits, human behavior, the variations among different groups of humans, how the evolutionary past of Homo sapiens has influenced its social organization and culture, and from social sciences, including the organization of human social and cultural relations, institutions, social conflicts, etc.

Fields of Anthropology

Anthropology is divided into four primary sub-fields: cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, archaeology, and biological anthropology. Each field has its own sub-disciplines and areas of focus.

• Cultural Anthropology: Focuses on the study of cultural variation among humans and is concerned with the cultural aspects of human societies worldwide. Topics of interest include rituals, beliefs, economies, and the social structure of communities.
• Linguistic Anthropology: Examines the role of language in the social lives of individuals and communities, exploring how language reflects and influences social identity, group membership, and cultural beliefs and practices.
• Archaeology: Studies past human societies through examination of material remains, including artifacts, architecture, and landscapes. The goal is to reconstruct past human behavior and cultural patterns.
• Biological Anthropology: Concerned with the biological and behavioral aspects of human beings, their related non-human primates and their extinct hominin ancestors. This includes the study of the evolution of humans, human variability, and the mechanisms of evolutionary change.

History

The development of anthropology as a scientific discipline dates back to the Enlightenment in the 18th century, when it began as a study of the nature and origins of human diversity. Early anthropologists were motivated by a desire to understand the diverse cultures they encountered through colonial expansion. Over time, the field has evolved to incorporate a wide range of theoretical perspectives and methodologies.

Methodology

Anthropological research methods vary depending on the sub-field and the specific research question. Methods can include participant observation, interviews, surveys, linguistic analysis, and the study of archival materials. In biological anthropology, methods might include skeletal analysis, genetic analysis, and primatological observations. Archaeologists employ methods such as excavation, survey, and material analysis.

Ethical Considerations

Anthropologists are often engaged in research involving human subjects and are bound by ethical considerations to ensure the dignity, rights, and welfare of their research participants. This includes obtaining informed consent, ensuring confidentiality, and minimizing harm.

Applications of Anthropology

The applications of anthropology are vast and include contributions to public health, business, human rights, education, environmental conservation, and policy development. Anthropologists work in a variety of settings, including universities, research institutions, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private sector companies.