Physical Anthropology vs. Cultural Anthropology
Physical Anthropology
Vs.
Cultural Anthropology
Abstract
Anthropology as a whole plays a major role in the study of human and non-human
evolution. Today we will be reviewing physical anthropology and cultural anthropology,
and how both of these fields factor into the study of evolution.
Phys. Anth. Vs. Cul. Anth., 2
The questions pondered most about evolution by anthropologists are “what does it
mean to be human?” and “how did we become human?”. Today we will draw upon data
from physical anthropology and cultural anthropology to possibly understand how they
investigate and answer these questions.
Evolution in the simplest of terms means decent with modification. This term
encompasses all living things that encounter change over a period of time in order to
better adapt to their surroundings (Berkley, n.d.)
Evolution in terms of physical anthropology encompasses the many variations and
adaptations of all humans over time, both living and extinct. Within physical
anthropology evolution is viewed as a species’ success rate through its survival and
reproduction over time.
There are a number of different specialties within physical anthropology. For example,
geneticists will examine DNA from modern humans, human ancestors, non-human
primates, and primate ancestors so that they can examine the origins and similarities in
both species (Larsen, 2010). Biologists will study living humans and will further examine
how these humans that reside within different cultural environments interact with one
another. While pale anthropologists will study human ancestors by looking at fossilized
Phys. Anth. Vs. Cul. Anth., 3
bones and teeth so that they may see how each previous species fit into the human family
tree (Larsen, 2010). Primatologists study non-human primates and their behavior, which
Vs.
Cultural Anthropology
Abstract
Anthropology as a whole plays a major role in the study of human and non-human
evolution. Today we will be reviewing physical anthropology and cultural anthropology,
and how both of these fields factor into the study of evolution.
Phys. Anth. Vs. Cul. Anth., 2
The questions pondered most about evolution by anthropologists are “what does it
mean to be human?” and “how did we become human?”. Today we will draw upon data
from physical anthropology and cultural anthropology to possibly understand how they
investigate and answer these questions.
Evolution in the simplest of terms means decent with modification. This term
encompasses all living things that encounter change over a period of time in order to
better adapt to their surroundings (Berkley, n.d.)
Evolution in terms of physical anthropology encompasses the many variations and
adaptations of all humans over time, both living and extinct. Within physical
anthropology evolution is viewed as a species’ success rate through its survival and
reproduction over time.
There are a number of different specialties within physical anthropology. For example,
geneticists will examine DNA from modern humans, human ancestors, non-human
primates, and primate ancestors so that they can examine the origins and similarities in
both species (Larsen, 2010). Biologists will study living humans and will further examine
how these humans that reside within different cultural environments interact with one
another. While pale anthropologists will study human ancestors by looking at fossilized
Phys. Anth. Vs. Cul. Anth., 3
bones and teeth so that they may see how each previous species fit into the human family
tree (Larsen, 2010). Primatologists study non-human primates and their behavior, which
References: Berkely University (n.d.). Evolution 101. Understanding Evolution. Retrieved August 22, 2012, from http://evolution.berkely.edu/evolibrary/article/evo_01 Larsen, C.S. (2010). Our Origins: Discovering Physical Anthropology. (2nd ed.). New York, NY: W.W, Norton & Company, Inc.. O’Neil, D. (2012). Fields of Anthropology. What is Anthropology?. Retrieved August 23, 2012, from http://anthro.palomar.edu/intro/default.htm