Anthropology

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Adaptation

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An anatomical, physiological, or behavioral response of organisms or populations to the environment. Adaptations result from evolutionary change.

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Anthropology

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The field of inquiry that studies human culture and evolutionary aspects of human biology; includes cultural anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, and physical, or biological anthropology.

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Applied Anthropology

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The practical application of anthropological and archaeological theories and techniques. For example, many biological anthropologists work in the public health sector.

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Artifacts

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Objects or materials made or modified for use by modern humans and their ancestors. The earliest artifacts tend to be tools made of stone or, occasionally, bone.

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Behavior

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Anything organisms do that involves action in response to internal or external stimuli. The response of an individual, group, or species to its environment. Such responses may or may not be deliberate, and they aren’t necessarily the results of conscious decision making.

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Bioarchaeology

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The study of skeletal remains from archaeological sites.

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Biocultural Evolution

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The mutual, interactive evolution of human biology and culture; the concept that biology makes culture possible and that developing culture further influences the direction of biological evolution; a basic concept in understanding the unique components of human evolution.

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Bipedality

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On two feet; habitually walking on two legs.

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Continuum

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A set of relationships in which all components fall along a single integrated spectrum. All life reflects a single biological continuum.

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Culture

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Behavioral aspects of human adaptation, including technology, traditions, language, religion, marriage patterns, and social roles. Culture is a set of learned behaviors transmitted from one generation to the next by nonbiological means.

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Data

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Facts from which conclusions can be drawn; scientific information.

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DNA

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The double-stranded molecule that contains the genetic code. DNA is a main component of chromosomes.

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Empirical

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Relying on experiment or observation.

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Ethnocentric

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Viewing other cultures from the inherently biased perspective of one’s own culture. Ethnocentrism often results in other cultures being seen as inferior to one’s own.

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Ethnographies

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Detailed descriptive studies of human societies. In cultural anthropology, an ethnography is traditionally the study of a non-Western society.

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Evolution

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A change in the genetic structure of a population. The term is also sometimes used to refer to the appearance of a new species.

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Forensic Anthropology

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An applied anthropological approach dealing with legal matters. Forensic anthropologists work with coroners and others in identifying and analyzing human remains.

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Genetic

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Pertaining to genetics, the study of gene structure and action and the patterns of transmission of traits from parent to offspring. Genetic mechanisms are the foundation for evolutionary change.

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Hominins

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Colloquial term for members of the evolutionary group that includes modern humans and extinct bipedal relatives.

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Hypothesis

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A provisional explanation of a phenomenon. Hypotheses require verification or falsification through testing.

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Osteology

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The study of skeletal material. Human osteology focuses on the interpretation of the skeletal remains from archaeological sites, skeletal anatomy, bone physiology, and growth and development. Some of the same techniques are used in paleoanthropology to study early hominins.

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Paleoanthropology

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The interdisciplinary approach to the study of earlier hominins - their chronology, physical structure, archeological remains, habitats, and so on.

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Paleopathology

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The study of disease and injury in human skeletal remains from archaeological sites.

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Quadrupedal

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On four feet; habitually walking on four legs.

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Primatology

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The study of the biology and behavior of nonhuman primates.

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Primates

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Members of the order of mammals Primates, which includes lemurs, lorises, tarsiers, monkeys, apes, and humans.

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Quantitatively

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Pertaining to measurements of quantity and including such properties as size, number, and capacity. When data are quantified, they’re expressed numerically and can be tested scientifically.

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Relativistic

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Viewing entities as they relate to something else. Cultural relativism is the view that cultures have merits within their own historical and environmental contexts.

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Savanna

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A large flat grassland with scattered trees and shrubs. Savannas are found in many regions of the world with dry and warm-to-hot climates.

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Science

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A body of knowledge gained through observation and experimentation.

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Scientific Method

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An approach to research whereby a problem is identified, a hypothesis is stated, and that hypothesis is tested by collecting and analyzing data.

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Scientific Testing

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The precise repetition of an experiment or expansion of observed data to provide verification; the procedure by which hypotheses and the theories are verified, modified, or discarded.

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Species

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A group of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring. Members of one species are reproductively isolated from members of all other species (that is, they cannot mate with them to produce fertile offspring.)

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Theory

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A broad statement of scientific relationships or underlying principles that has been substantially verified through the testing of hypotheses.

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Worldview

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General cultural orientation or perspective shared by members of a society.