ANTH 203 Chapter Introduction: Biological Anthropology and Subdisciplines
12 Feb 2019
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Introduction: What is biological anthropology!
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Biological Anthropology is the scientific study of humankind (anthros=human; -ology=the study
of) from an evolutionary framework!
particularly interested in the study of hominin = member of primate family HOMINIDAE, •
distinguished by bipedal posture and in more recently evolved species, a large brain !
Primates = Member of mammalian order primates defined by anatomical and behavioural traits!
Evolution = change in frequency of a gene or a trait in a population over multiple generation !
Adaptation = trait that increases the reproduce success of organism; due to natural selection !
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Describe the subfields of anthropology and the role of biological anthropology in them (6)!
Anthropology = study of humankind in cross-cultural context !
Includes 4 subfields !•
Linguistics anthropology = study of form, function and social context of language !◦
How language shapes culture !‣
Cultural anthropology = study of societies across cultures !◦
Ethnology = study of societies and behaviours of ppl in those societies; use ‣
ethnography!
Archaeology= study of material culture of past humans!◦
Biological anthropology !◦
Study fossils, primates and brain evolution‣
This includes paleoanthropology, skeletal biology and osteology, paleopathology, forensic anthropology, ‣
primatology, and human biology.!
Culture = traditions and values of a group of ppl !
Our biology produced culture, but culture can also influence biology !
Biological Anthropology = study of interaction of culture and biology, in investigating human
traits!
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Describe the subfields within biological anthropology!
Paleoanthropology: study of fossil records of ancient humans and their kin!
Study skeletal evidence/fossils: shows us HOW, WHERE, WHY hominins evolved!•
Ex. Canines = males fight in competition!•
Osteology = Study of skeleton!
Understand relation between genetics, status and geography !•
Paleopathology = study of ancient diseases of ancestry humans!
Forensic Anthropology = identify skeletal remains and finding cause of death!
Primatology = study of NONHUMAN primates; their genetics, behaviour, anatomy and ecology !
How evolutions molded human species and learn more about patterns of our behaviour !•
Human Biology = study of humans; their growth and dev, adaptation and genetics!
How biological and cultural forces shape population(bicultural anthro) and many more goals!•
Document Summary
Primates = member of mammalian order primates de ned by anatomical and behavioural traits. Evolution = change in frequency of a gene or a trait in a population over multiple generation. Adaptation = trait that increases the reproduce success of organism; due to natural selection. Describe the sub elds of anthropology and the role of biological anthropology in them (6) Anthropology = study of humankind in cross-cultural context. Linguistics anthropology = study of form, function and social context of language. Cultural anthropology = study of societies across cultures. Ethnology = study of societies and behaviours of ppl in those societies; use ethnography. Archaeology= study of material culture of past humans. This includes paleoanthropology, skeletal biology and osteology, paleopathology, forensic anthropology, primatology, and human biology. Culture = traditions and values of a group of ppl. Our biology produced culture, but culture can also in uence biology. Biological anthropology = study of interaction of culture and biology, in investigating human traits.
