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Physical Anthropology vs. Cultural Anthropology

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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



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

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