Introduction to Physical Anthropology

Provdes an Overview of Anthropology, describes culture, and introduces physical anthropology

1. Introduction to Anthropology Introduction to Anthropology
and Physical Anthropologyand Physical Anthropology
Anthropology 101 OnlineAnthropology 101 Online

2. What is Anthropology?What is Anthropology?
Derived from the Greek Derived from the Greek Anthropos Anthropos (“man” or (“man” or
“human”) and“human”) and
LogosLogos (“logic of” or “science of”) (“logic of” or “science of”)
What distinguishes anthropology from other What distinguishes anthropology from other
disciplines involving humankind (medicine, disciplines involving humankind (medicine,
sociology, psychology) sociology, psychology)
The definition sums up the difference: the The definition sums up the difference: the
comparativecomparative and and holistic holistic study of study of humankindhumankind

3. Anthropology is ComparativeAnthropology is Comparative
It involves comparison: It involves comparison:
 between today’s cultures in the “ethnographic between today’s cultures in the “ethnographic
present,” whereby cultures are described as if present,” whereby cultures are described as if
they still existed—like these !Kung Bushmen in they still existed—like these !Kung Bushmen in
the 1950s (the job of ethnographers or cultural the 1950s (the job of ethnographers or cultural
anthropologists)anthropologists)
Between cultures that existed through time Between cultures that existed through time
unrecorded by history—the job of archaeologistsunrecorded by history—the job of archaeologists
Between related species of the hominid family Between related species of the hominid family
and hominin subfamily—Like “Lucy” according to and hominin subfamily—Like “Lucy” according to
this artist’s conception (the job of this artist’s conception (the job of
paleoanthropologists)paleoanthropologists)
It asks the question: “Can what we learn from It asks the question: “Can what we learn from
other cultures or related species be used to other cultures or related species be used to
understand our own?”understand our own?”

4. Anthropology is HolisticAnthropology is Holistic
It involves “The Big Picture”It involves “The Big Picture”
It integrates all aspects of a cultureIt integrates all aspects of a culture
How do hunting, social organization, art, and How do hunting, social organization, art, and
religion all fit together?religion all fit together?
It also involves subfields of anthropologyIt also involves subfields of anthropology
How does human biology relate to culture?How does human biology relate to culture?
Can we understand ourselves from behavior Can we understand ourselves from behavior
of other primates?of other primates?
What can we learn from fossil humans? Or What can we learn from fossil humans? Or
fossil relatives of humans?fossil relatives of humans?
That involves quite a lot of juggling between That involves quite a lot of juggling between
subfields and specialized disciplines. subfields and specialized disciplines.

5. Fields of AnthropologyFields of Anthropology
Cultural AnthropologyCultural Anthropology, comprising:, comprising:
Linguistics,Linguistics, the study of spoken language the study of spoken language
Sociocultural AnthropologySociocultural Anthropology, the study of cultures and their , the study of cultures and their
social organizationsocial organization
ArchaeologyArchaeology, the study of past cultures by excavating and , the study of past cultures by excavating and
analyzing their remainsanalyzing their remains
Physical Anthropology, Physical Anthropology, which compriseswhich comprises
PaleoanthropologyPaleoanthropology,, the study of past human lifeforms the study of past human lifeforms
PrimatologyPrimatology, the comparative study of nonhuman primate , the comparative study of nonhuman primate
anatomy and behavioranatomy and behavior
Population AnalysisPopulation Analysis,, the study of human variation (“races”) the study of human variation (“races”)
Forensics,Forensics, the analysis of evidence related to criminal activity. the analysis of evidence related to criminal activity.

6. LinguisticsLinguistics
Comparative study of Comparative study of spokenspoken language language
Foundation of all cultureFoundation of all culture
Reason: We learn all things by Reason: We learn all things by
languagelanguage
Language is based on symbolsLanguage is based on symbols
Symbols: Symbols: Use of one thing or eventUse of one thing or event
To understand another thing and eventTo understand another thing and event
That are intrinsically unrelatedThat are intrinsically unrelated
Meaning is conveyed by symbols in Meaning is conveyed by symbols in
languagelanguage

7. Sociocultural AnthropologySociocultural Anthropology
Comparative study of contemporary cultures Comparative study of contemporary cultures
Comparison involves human individual and group behavior Comparison involves human individual and group behavior
Societies that govern human relations in an village (above) or other Societies that govern human relations in an village (above) or other
geographical spacegeographical space
Products of human behavior: tools, artifacts, housingProducts of human behavior: tools, artifacts, housing
Several subfields: kinship and family, subsistence, economic, Several subfields: kinship and family, subsistence, economic,
political et al; this group is an extended family.political et al; this group is an extended family.

8. ArchaeologyArchaeology
Comparative study of cultural remains Comparative study of cultural remains
of human societies as excavated (left) of human societies as excavated (left)
and analyzedand analyzed
Also involves human and prehuman Also involves human and prehuman
physical remains where they are physical remains where they are
related to the artifacts and structures related to the artifacts and structures
they left behind. they left behind.
Comparison involves past cultures Comparison involves past cultures
similar to each othersimilar to each other
It also involves comparisons of past It also involves comparisons of past
cultures that are similar to present cultures that are similar to present
onesones

9. Physical AnthropologyPhysical Anthropology
Comparative study of humankind’s Comparative study of humankind’s
physical attributesphysical attributes
Comparison of Comparison of Homo (sapiens) Homo (sapiens)
sapienssapiens
Among today’s breeding Among today’s breeding
populations (“races”)populations (“races”)
With apes and monkeys With apes and monkeys
(primatology)(primatology)
With fossil hominids With fossil hominids
(paleoanthropology)(paleoanthropology)

10. Culture: Focus of All Anthropology Culture: Focus of All Anthropology
What is Culture?What is Culture?
TylorTylor: “that complex whole which : “that complex whole which
includesincludes
Knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, law, Knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, law,
customcustom
And any other capabilities and habitsAnd any other capabilities and habits
Acquired by man (both genders)Acquired by man (both genders)
As a member of societyAs a member of society
Generally accepted definitionGenerally accepted definition
Learned human behaviorLearned human behavior
Shared by a groupShared by a group
As members of societyAs members of society

11. Culture is LearnedCulture is Learned
All we do, say, or believe is learnedAll we do, say, or believe is learned
Bee behavior, such as this scout bee Bee behavior, such as this scout bee
using a dance to tell the others where the using a dance to tell the others where the
pollen is located, is genetically pollen is located, is genetically
transmitted transmitted
Our behavior is not genetically Our behavior is not genetically
transmittedtransmitted
Dogs, like this one carrying the remote, Dogs, like this one carrying the remote,
learn by conditioning (repeated training learn by conditioning (repeated training
with rewards)with rewards)
We learn partly by imitation but mostly We learn partly by imitation but mostly
through languagethrough language
Enculturation:Enculturation: transmission of culture transmission of culture
from generation to generationfrom generation to generation

12. Culture is Based on SymbolismCulture is Based on Symbolism
Culture is learned through languageCulture is learned through language
Symbols: Symbols: Use of one thing or event to refer to Use of one thing or event to refer to
another thing and event that are intrinsically another thing and event that are intrinsically
unrelatedunrelated
Exercise: speech sounds c, a, and t Exercise: speech sounds c, a, and t
Or in IPA [k], [Or in IPA [k], [æ], and [t] to make [kæt]æ], and [t] to make [kæt]
If we switch them around, we have new If we switch them around, we have new
meaning: “act” [ækt] or “tack” [tæk]meaning: “act” [ækt] or “tack” [tæk]
We have an We have an open system open system of communicationof communication

13. Sign or SignalSign or Signal
A sign or signal is usedA sign or signal is used
To refer to another thing or eventTo refer to another thing or event
That is intrinsically related to the firstThat is intrinsically related to the first
Example: goose mating call has one Example: goose mating call has one
sound pattern while a warning call has sound pattern while a warning call has
anotheranother
The two patterns cannot be combined to The two patterns cannot be combined to
produce a third meaningproduce a third meaning
So their communication system is So their communication system is closedclosed

14. Culture is SharedCulture is Shared
A group with common language and custom A group with common language and custom
shares a cultureshares a culture
Groups may be as small as 50 (!Kung band)Groups may be as small as 50 (!Kung band)
They may comprise nation of millions (e.g. They may comprise nation of millions (e.g.
Japan)Japan)
There may be subcultures in a culture (e.g. There may be subcultures in a culture (e.g.
Hutterites in Saskatchewan) who use technology Hutterites in Saskatchewan) who use technology
but retain traditional clothing and religious beliefsbut retain traditional clothing and religious beliefs
Culture versus subculture is ambiguousCulture versus subculture is ambiguous

15. Culture is Patterned/IntegratedCulture is Patterned/Integrated
One aspect of culture reflects other One aspect of culture reflects other
aspectsaspects
They all fit into a pattern as a wholeThey all fit into a pattern as a whole
Examples of integration:Examples of integration:
Extreme example: Teotihuacan’s Extreme example: Teotihuacan’s
Pyramid of the Sun probably wasn’t built Pyramid of the Sun probably wasn’t built
by this !Kung band—construction by this !Kung band—construction
required the coordinated efforts of required the coordinated efforts of
hundredshundreds
But the !Kung have their own pattern: But the !Kung have their own pattern:
meat sharing elicited by arduous hunts, meat sharing elicited by arduous hunts,
crude hunting gear, and game scarcitycrude hunting gear, and game scarcity

16. Conclusion: All Four Fields are Linked Conclusion: All Four Fields are Linked
by the Culture Conceptby the Culture Concept
Sociocultural AnthropologySociocultural Anthropology: All aspects of : All aspects of
human are learned, symbolic, shared, and human are learned, symbolic, shared, and
integrated from language to technology to integrated from language to technology to
kinship (in most societies)kinship (in most societies)
LinguisticsLinguistics involves the study of language, the involves the study of language, the
medium of culturemedium of culture
ArchaeologyArchaeology constructs the cultures of the past constructs the cultures of the past
Biological/Physical AnthropologyBiological/Physical Anthropology asks how asks how
we humans have the capacity for culture in the we humans have the capacity for culture in the
first place.first place.

17. The Science of Culture: The Role The Science of Culture: The Role
of Physical Anthropology’of Physical Anthropology’
The most basic science in anthropology The most basic science in anthropology
rests in physical anthropologyrests in physical anthropology
We first look at what determines the We first look at what determines the
biological capacity for culturebiological capacity for culture
Then we examine the basics of scientific Then we examine the basics of scientific
method. method.

18. What Does Physical Anthropology Have What Does Physical Anthropology Have
to Do With Culture?to Do With Culture?
Biologically, we have a capacity for culture Biologically, we have a capacity for culture
through language, tool making and use, through language, tool making and use,
and bipedalismand bipedalism
We acquired those abilities over millions of We acquired those abilities over millions of
year—therefore fossil hominins may give year—therefore fossil hominins may give
us a clue as to how and when.us a clue as to how and when.
There is no indication that any one “race” There is no indication that any one “race”
has a greater capacity for culture than any has a greater capacity for culture than any
other “race.” other “race.”

19. Physical Anthropology: Physical Anthropology:
Biological Capacity for CultureBiological Capacity for Culture
How can we speak a language?How can we speak a language?
We have a brain structure for speech We have a brain structure for speech
production and reception (both pictures)production and reception (both pictures)
Certain parts of the brain control our oral Certain parts of the brain control our oral
tract: tongue, vocal cords, lungs.tract: tongue, vocal cords, lungs.
How about our tool making and use?How about our tool making and use?
Upper part of the motor cortex in brain Upper part of the motor cortex in brain
(lower left) controls our ability to make and (lower left) controls our ability to make and
use toolsuse tools
Prehensile fingers, hands, and arms also Prehensile fingers, hands, and arms also
enable tool making and useenable tool making and use
Even ability to stand on our two feet and Even ability to stand on our two feet and
walk frees our hands for such purposeswalk frees our hands for such purposes

20. Humankind: Present and PastHumankind: Present and Past
TodayToday, , Homo sapiens Homo sapiens only occupies the planetonly occupies the planet
Millennia ago, there were many species: Millennia ago, there were many species:
Homo neanderthalensis, Homo heidelbergensis, Homo neanderthalensis, Homo heidelbergensis,
Homo erectus, and Homo habilisHomo erectus, and Homo habilis
Millions of years ago, there was Millions of years ago, there was
Australopithecus Australopithecus with several specieswith several species
Other hominoids evolved with us: Other hominoids evolved with us:
Great apes of today (e.g. chimps, gorillas) arose Great apes of today (e.g. chimps, gorillas) arose
from such fossil apes as from such fossil apes as DryopithecusDryopithecus))

21. Contemporary Human PopulationsContemporary Human Populations
Breeding populationsBreeding populations or or
““Races” or Races” or polytypic groupspolytypic groups with regional with regional
distinctions capable of interbreedingdistinctions capable of interbreeding
SerologySerology: Blood Types & Their Distribution: Blood Types & Their Distribution
Genetic-Linked DiseasesGenetic-Linked Diseases: (Tay-Sachs, Sickle-: (Tay-Sachs, Sickle-
Cell Anemia)Cell Anemia)
Epidemiology: Epidemiology: AIDS (acquired from chimps’ AIDS (acquired from chimps’
SIV)SIV)
Forensics:Forensics: Crime scene reconstruction Crime scene reconstruction

22. Past Human/Fossil Hominid Past Human/Fossil Hominid
PopulationsPopulations
Genetics and Natural Selection: studies in Genetics and Natural Selection: studies in
biological human evolutionbiological human evolution
Paleoanthropology: comparative study of fossil Paleoanthropology: comparative study of fossil
primates, including hominidsprimates, including hominids
Primatology: comparative study of monkeys and Primatology: comparative study of monkeys and
apes, their morphology and their behaviorapes, their morphology and their behavior
Biodiversity: how polytypic populations came to Biodiversity: how polytypic populations came to
bebe
Human ecology: interaction between Human ecology: interaction between
human/prehuman populations and their human/prehuman populations and their
environmentsenvironments

23. Physical Anthropology as SciencePhysical Anthropology as Science
Science Science is a body of knowledge gained is a body of knowledge gained
throughthrough
observation and experimentationobservation and experimentation
Latin Derivation: Latin Derivation: Scientia Scientia or or knowledgeknowledge
Scientific Method Scientific Method is a mode of inquiry is a mode of inquiry
that requires the (a) generation, (b) that requires the (a) generation, (b)
testing, and (c) acceptance or rejection of testing, and (c) acceptance or rejection of
hypotheses or explanations of a hypotheses or explanations of a
phenomenon. phenomenon.

24. Fundamentals of Scientific InquiryFundamentals of Scientific Inquiry
Hypothesis: An educated guess to explain the existence Hypothesis: An educated guess to explain the existence
of a thing, lifeform, or event.of a thing, lifeform, or event.
Theory: A hypothesis confirmed by repeated observation Theory: A hypothesis confirmed by repeated observation
of a thing, lifeform, or eventof a thing, lifeform, or event
Theories are always probabilisticTheories are always probabilistic
A new theory that better explains facts can replace an A new theory that better explains facts can replace an
existing theory.existing theory.
Theories are never “proven” once and for allTheories are never “proven” once and for all
Generating and testing hypotheses involve Generating and testing hypotheses involve Induction Induction and and
DeductionDeduction
Use the following diagram and explanations to understand Use the following diagram and explanations to understand
how the process workshow the process works

25. A Diagram of Scientific MethodA Diagram of Scientific Method

26. InductionInduction
Induction involves making observation of things and Induction involves making observation of things and
events in the field.events in the field.
One then searches for certain attributes of things and One then searches for certain attributes of things and
events observed to find events observed to find
Patterns: Do things or events fit together in some wayPatterns: Do things or events fit together in some way
Is there a connection between one thing or event and Is there a connection between one thing or event and
anotheranother
Associations: do thing and events appear together under Associations: do thing and events appear together under
some condition. some condition.
If we find these attributes, we arrive at a hypothesis, If we find these attributes, we arrive at a hypothesis,
which entails an explanation of the pattern, connection, or which entails an explanation of the pattern, connection, or
associationassociation

27. DeductionDeduction
Deduction works the other wayDeduction works the other way
We assume or have found a pattern, connection, or association We assume or have found a pattern, connection, or association
between things and/or events.between things and/or events.
Now, how well does the general explanation predict the specific Now, how well does the general explanation predict the specific
thing or event in a new situation or area of inquiry.thing or event in a new situation or area of inquiry.
Repetition: Does the phenomenon occur again and again?Repetition: Does the phenomenon occur again and again?
Universality: Is the phenomenon found everywhere, under all Universality: Is the phenomenon found everywhere, under all
circumstances?circumstances?
Can exceptions be explained?Can exceptions be explained?
Does new information confirm or contradict the hypothesis Does new information confirm or contradict the hypothesis
generated by the theory?generated by the theory?

28. Belief SystemsBelief Systems
Some matters are outside the scope of scienceSome matters are outside the scope of science
Meaning of life is a philosophical or theological Meaning of life is a philosophical or theological
questionquestion
Behavioral norms in society often defy scientific Behavioral norms in society often defy scientific
questions.questions.
What are we here for? Science can’t help us What are we here for? Science can’t help us
here. here.
Belief Systems: Ideas that are taken on faith Belief Systems: Ideas that are taken on faith
cannot be scientifically testedcannot be scientifically tested

29. Scientific Method: Sometimes Scientific Method: Sometimes
Research Involves Political FudgingResearch Involves Political Fudging

30. Conclusion IConclusion I
Anthropology emphasizesAnthropology emphasizes
Holism: How does everything fit into a Holism: How does everything fit into a
pattern?pattern?
Comparison: In what way are biological Comparison: In what way are biological
organism the same? How are they organism the same? How are they
different?different?
The same can be said about groups, The same can be said about groups,
whether human or nonhuman (baboons, whether human or nonhuman (baboons,
chimps, many others)chimps, many others)

31. Conclusion IIConclusion II
Biological/Physical Anthropology isBiological/Physical Anthropology is
Based on scientific inquiry: controlled tests and Based on scientific inquiry: controlled tests and
observationsobservations
Relies on established scientific theory, of which Relies on established scientific theory, of which
evolutionary models are one. evolutionary models are one.
Involves study of contemporary populations: Involves study of contemporary populations:
varieties of human groups and their varieties of human groups and their
characteristicscharacteristics
Are applied to practical uses (medicine, genetic Are applied to practical uses (medicine, genetic
disorders, forensics) disorders, forensics)