Anthropology

Introduction to branches of anthropology

1. PHYSICAL/BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY SUBMITTED TO: Mr. KETAN PATIL SUBMITTED BY : Ms. AYUSHI BERAGI

2. ANTHROPOLOGY The term ANTHROPOLOGY derived from two greek words Anthropos and Logos. Anthropos means Man, and Logos means Science. Therefore,Anthropology is known as the science of human. It studies the different aspects of the life of human from his date of origin upto the present date.Such as its physical features differences in cultural variations social and political affairs, etc.

3. BRANCHES OF ANTHROPOLOGY Different branches of anthropology focus on different aspect of human experience. One branches focuses on how our species evolved from earlier species. Other branches concentrate on the learned traditions of human thoughts and behaviour, how ancient cultures evolved and diversified, and how and why modern cultures change or stay the same. In its attempt to study the various dimensions of man`s existence and behaviour, it tends to generate many specialized branches.

4. BRANCHES OF ANTHROPOLOGY The major elementary branches are mentioned as under; 1. Socio-cultural Anthropology 2. Physical (biological) Anthropology 3. Archaeological Anthropology 4. Linguistic Anthropology 5. Applied Anthropology

5. Socio-Cultural Anthropology Second half of the 19 th century was the beginning period of the socio-cultural Anthropology. It is being inspired by the idea of evolution after the Darwin`s publication of the “Origin of Species”. Many socio-cultural Anthropologists become interested in exploring the possibility of a similar process of evolution in the field of society and culture. They focused in the study of preliterate societies in the belief that they represented the earliest condition of human society and culture with the intension of studying the origin and evolution of human. It deals with man in the context of society and culture .while society`s presence is arrested at sub-human level, culture is exclusively a human phenomenon. Broadly speaking, it concentrate on life pattern of people.

6. Physical (biological)Anthropology It is a branch of Anthropology which attempts to explore human mystery related to their origin, differentiation, diversities and distributions. With the advancement of genetical sciences, it becomes more and more biology oriented. In addition to measurements, observation and necessary analysis of human bones and different body parts, the modern Physical Anthropology has entered into the categorial study of various physiological perspective through biochemical and genetical view point because of these integrated biology oriented approach of the present day Physical Anthropology is thought desirable to call it Biological Anthropology. It promises to study human evolution and differentiation in the background of biological variation in primates. While studying the nature extent of fossil man and living man attempts are made to explain about the various processes and products of evolution such as anatomy , serology and behaviour in respect of natural selection in association with genetics , environment effects and cultural adaptation. It plays pledge to reconstruct the past events of human being and to analysis and project current trends.

7. Archaeological Anthropology This branch of knowledge attempts to trace the Origin, Growth and development of culture in the past. By past means the period before history when man had not acquired the capabilities of language, not merely to speak but also to write in order to record the story of his life. Archaeology can tell us about the technology of peoples by analysing the tools they have left behind. Based on this, it can shed light on economic activities of the people who utilized that technology. The artistic capabilities of people become apparent through the remains of fine engravings on pottery, intricate designs on jewellery, etc. Physical remains of housing can reveal certain of social structure. Besides, certain aspects of religions beliefs can also be guessed by observing burial sites and the articles kept in graves. Archaeological Anthropologists study begin with an attempt to understand the geographical processes .particularly , the Great Ice Age, and the successior of the climatic phases that have left behind stratigraphic evidences in river terraces and moraines .

8. Linguistic Anthropology Linguistic Anthropology is that branch of Anthropology which deals with language. It is concerned with the languages of all the people, past and present as it is the chief vehicle through which man preserves and transmits his culture from generation to generation. It also interested in the relationship between language and cultural cognition as well as behaviour. Linguistic Anthropologists study unwritten language as also written languages. It includes those features which are related to the system of knowledge, belief, assumptions and conventions that produce particular ideas at particular times in the mind of people. Each of these features are culturally conditioned and hence unique to each culture and society. It tries to understand the roles of language in human life and the part it has played in the amelioration of humanity.

9. Applied Anthropology The ultimate aim of the study of man is not only merely acquiring knowledge regarding man, society and culture, but in applying the knowledge so gained in solving the practical problems faced by mankind all over the world. The Applied Anthropologist has a role in all the three events –Before, After ,and During –of a welfare programme. In brief, Applied Anthropology has mostly deals with planned change and development in third world countries. The two major areas in which Applied Anthropologists have contributed substantially are improvements in technology and health. They also help government and other welfare agencies in formulating policies and plans for improvement in several areas. The principle is to apply the results of scientific investigation in the service of mankind.

10. Reference: 1.Essentials of physical Anthropology ,discovering our origin (Clark Spender Larsen). 2.Haviland. A. William (9 th edition ) Cultural Anthropology. 3.Evolution of Man (2 nd edition). 4.Research paper (content.inflibnet.ac.in).

11. THANK YOU