Essentials of Physical Anthropology

Sixth Edition

Chapter 1

Introduction

Chapter Outline What is Anthropology? Cultural Anthropology Archaeology Linguistic Anthropology

Chapter Outline 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.

Issues for Physical Anthropologists Evolution

A change in the genetic structure of a population.

Adaptation Functional response of organisms or

populations to the environment. Adaptation results from evolutionary

change.

Evolution Microevolution

Small genetic changes that occur within a species.

Macroevolution Changes that occur only after many

generations, such as the appearance of a new species (speciation).

Culture

technologies subsistence

patterns housing types clothing

religion marriage and

family values gender roles

Strategies humans use to adapt to their environment:

Culture Culture is learned, and the process of learning

one’s culture begins at birth. Even though culture isn’t genetically

determined, the human predisposition to assimilate culture is influenced by genetics.

Over time, culture and biology interacted in such a way that humans are said to be the result of biocultural evolution.

What Is Anthropology? The study of humankind. Integrates sociology, economics, history,

psychology, and biology. Comprises three subfields:

cultural anthropology archaeology physical (or biological) anthropology

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

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.

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.

By learning about cultures other than our own, we can avoid an ethnocentric view of other cultures.

By recognizing that we have similarities with other animals, we may recognize that they have a place in nature just as we do.

Quick Quiz

1. The mammalian group that humans belong to is the Order

a) Carnivora.

b) Rodentia.

c) Primates.

d) Chiroptera.

Answer: c The mammalian group that humans

belong to is the Order Primates.

2. Culture is

a) inherited by a simple genetic transmission.

b) a biological trait of our species.

c) learned.

d) the strategy by which many mammals adapt to their environment.

Answer: c Culture is learned.

3. Anthropologists who conduct excavations in order to recover artifacts are

a) archaeologists

b) ethnologists

c) linguists

d) medical anthropologists

Answer: a Anthropologists who conduct

excavations in order to recover artifacts are archaeologists.

4. Physical anthropologists developed techniques for measuring the human body. These type of measurements are called:

a) calibration

b) dermatoglyphics

c) genetics

d) anthropometrics

Answer: d Physical anthropologists developed

techniques for measuring the human body. These type of measurements are called anthropometrics.