Human Origins Chapter 1 Flashcards

Key Anthropology Disciplines

• Ethnology: Explores the diverse ways societies organize themselves and interact.
• Linguistic Anthropology: Investigates the relationship between language and culture, highlighting how language shapes social dynamics.
• Ecological Anthropology: Examines the interactions between humans and their environments, focusing on adaptation and sustainability.
• Economic Anthropology: Analyzes systems of trade, labor organization, and the cultural implications of economic practices.
• Medical Anthropology: Studies health and medical practices within cultural contexts, focusing on how society views health and illness.

Archaeological Studies

• Archaeology: Focuses on understanding past cultures through their material remains, including artifacts and structures.
• Historical Archaeology: Combines physical evidence with written records to study cultures and communities from recorded history.
• Prehistorical Archaeology: Investigates human societies prior to written records, analyzing tools, art, and other archaeological findings.

Evolution and Fossil Studies

• Human Evolution: Researches the evolutionary processes that have shaped human species over time, examining both biological and social developments.
• Human Paleontology: Specializes in the study of ancient human fossils, contributing to our understanding of human ancestry.
• Primatology: Studies non-human primates, providing insights into the evolutionary background of humans and their behavior.
• Primate Behavior: Analyzes the social and interaction patterns of primates (e.g., monkeys, apes) to draw parallels with human behavior.
• Primate Paleontology: Focuses on the fossil records of early mammals, contributing to our understanding of primate evolution.

Human Diversity and Genetics

• Human Variation: Investigates the biological and physical differences among human populations, including genetic, environmental, and cultural factors.
• Anthropological Genetics: Studies genetic variation and adaptability within human populations, exploring how genetic traits influence lifestyles and survival.