An Introduction
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-Explain how anthropology was studied in the
past
-Explain how anthropology is studied today
-Explain the importance of having a holistic
picture, and why physical, archaeological,
cultural, and linguistic aspects are studied
-Brainstorm some of the modern research
techniques used by anthropologists
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It is the study of humanity!
How do people differ?
Why is it important to have differences?
Anthropology helps humans survive!
Humanity faces a number of challenges, such
as climate change, language extinction, and
overpopulation, and we need more than
politicians or “common-sense” to solve them!
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How were civilizations studied?
They were studied from a religious perspective.
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For example, when the Native Americans were
discovered, they were explained as remnants of the
lost tribes of Israel.
Anthropology used to be studied by naturalists
and “pseudoscientists”, and was more of a
hobby
Questions that anthropologists ask are a
reflection of the time period. What do you think
they are asking nowadays?
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There are 4 main subfields:
Physical
 Archaeology
 Cultural
 Linguistics
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Why is it important that we study all 4
subfields?
What does it mean to have a “holistic” picture?
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-also known as Evolutionary Anthropology
-focuses on the biological differences between
humans, and how they came about
-studies fossils, animal evolution, primates
-studies DNA, cold-heat tolerance, disease, and
population genetics
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-studies the history of human populations
-relies on the written words of others...what’s
the problem with this?
-studies material remains of ancient cultures
-studies civilizations up to 2.5 million years
before there even was a written language!
-uses carbon dating
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-studies why there are different cultures
around the world
What are some cultural differences you can
think of?
-studies how cultural traditions established and
maintained throughout generations
-studies why most cultures are ethnocentric
(they believe their way is the best and right
way!)
-studies how race, religion, and ethnicity can
all lead to conflict
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-there are approximately 6000 languages
worldwide!
-linguistics studies the how language evolved
in the first place
-compares human communication with the
communication systems of other living things
-studies why languages become extinct
WITH A PARTNER, MAKE A LIST OF
ALL OF THE TOOLS AND
TECHNOLOGY YOU WOULD NEED TO
STUDY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS:
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ANCIENT MU OR LEMURIA
ANCIENT ATLANTIS
RAMA EMPIRE OF INDIA
OSIRIAN CIVILIZATION OF
THE MEDITERRANEAN
UIGER CIVILIZATION OF
THE GOBI DESERT
TIAHUANACO
THE MAYANS
ANCIENT CHINA
ANCIENT GREECE
SCANDANAVIAN VIKINGS
BABYLONIANS
AZTECS
ANCIENT EGYPTIANS
WITH A PARTNER, MAKE A LIST OF
ALL OF THE TOOLS AND
TECHNOLOGY YOU WOULD NEED TO
STUDY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING
PRESENT-DAY CULTURES:
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ANUAK / ANYWAK OF
ETHIOPIA (ETHIOPIA)
BEEMBE OF CONGO
(CONGO)
RAHANWEYN OF SOMALIA
(SOMALIA)
AKAWAIO OF BRAZIL
(BRAZIL)
NAVAHO / NAVAJO OF
AMERICA (USA)
CREE OF CANADA (CANADA)
JEWS OF IRELAND (IRELAND)
CHOPES / TORVLAKS OF
ROMANIA (ROMANIA)
ASSYRIANS OF IRAQ (IRAQ)
AKHA OF THAILAND
(THAILAND)