Essentials of Physical
Anthropology
Sixth Edition
Chapter 1
Introduction
Chapter Outline
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What is Anthropology?
Cultural Anthropology
Archaeology
Linguistic Anthropology
Chapter Outline
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Physical Anthropology
Physical Anthropology and the Scientific
Method
The Anthropological Perspective
Hominids
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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
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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
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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
Strategies humans use to adapt to their
environment:
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technologies
subsistence
patterns
housing types
clothing
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religion
marriage and
family
values
gender roles
Culture
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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?
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The study of humankind.
Integrates sociology, economics, history,
psychology, and biology.
Comprises three subfields:
 cultural anthropology
 archaeology
 physical (or biological) anthropology
Cultural Anthropology
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Studies all aspects of human
behavior.
Subfields:
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Urban anthropology deals with issues
of inner cities.
Medical anthropology explores
relationship between culture and health.
Archaeology
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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
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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
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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 Anthropology
and the Scientific Method
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Physical anthropologists developed
techniques for measuring the human
body. These type of measurements are
called anthropometrics.