Fieldwork in Anthroplogy
Fieldwork in Anthropology Ruth Benedict once said “The purpose of anthropology is to make the world safe for human differences.” According to Webster’s dictionary, Anthropology means the science that deals with the origins, physical and cultural development, biological characteristics, and social customs and beliefs of humankind. Fieldwork is works that requires hands on observation, as well as, recording or documenting what one sees and hear in a particular setting, whether that is a rural community or a busy city. Fieldwork is important to anthropology. Over months, or even years of fieldwork anthropologists gather new data on human groups and the role of culture in the lives of human beings. The work an anthropologist is doing eventually forms the basis of further research in future. It is extremely important to conduct accurate fieldwork because accurate fieldwork can lead to important details of our past or of our future. Anthropologists did not come in contact with the cultures they studied early on. Instead, they relied on reports from others like explorers. Fieldwork is more than just observation of a culture. Observation is not science- there is no hypothesis, no test of any theories, and no use for information. For example, when finding “Lucy” one of the first human beings to ever be found the scientists and anthropologist had to conduct very extensive fieldwork. The team had to take down every detail of the site and of the fossils. They did extensive research and they determined that they had found some of the oldest hominid fossils. Fieldwork involves tremendous amount of concentration. It is all about focusing on the object that they are studying. An anthropologist has to self-motivated; motivated enough to bear the pains and agony associated with difficult job one has on hand. Diligence, patience, and hard work are all attributes one has to have in order to succeed in his or her