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Evolution and Physical Anthropology

 

            By definition, evolution is the process by which living organisms are thought to have developed from earlier forms during the history of the earth. Anthropology is the study of humans and more specifically, physical or biological anthropology is the study of the evolution of humans. According to the University of California Santa Cruz, "Using an evolutionary perspective, we examine not only the physical form of humans "the bones, muscles, and organs," but also how it functions to allow survival and reproduction " (Physical/Biological, n.d.). .
             Within the field of biological anthropology, there are specific disciplines all of which concentrate on evolution. Human biologists study the differences in humans as a species, inherited genetic patterns and adaption to environmental stresses. Primatologists focus on the capabilities and behavioral patterns of non-human primates such as monkeys and apes. Paleoanthropologists work to understand evolution by studying fossil records of humans and their primate ancestors. .
             What a Physical Anthropologist May Study.
             As an example, a physical Anthropologist or primatologists may study non human primates such as monkeys and apes to understand their relationship with humans. The organization, Living Links of Emory University specifically studies apes and human evolution. According to their website, "The primary mission of the Living Links Center is to study human evolution by investigating our close genetic, anatomical, cognitive, and behavioral similarities with great apes"" (Welcome, n.d.). Living Links actually has three apes on site in which they use to conduct behavioral research. This type of research is important to human evolution because it helps researchers understand the evolutionary relationship between humans and apes and how our genetic history is different. .
             Second Subfield of Anthropology.
             Another subfield of anthropology is archeology. According to Parks, "Archaeologists study the relationship between such artifacts and the cultures that manufactured and used them and then expand their findings to reconstruct past cultural systems"" (p.


Essays Related to Evolution and Physical Anthropology

1. anthropology

The main topic that we are going to discuss is Biological Anthropology, also known as Physical Anthropology, which focuses on the study of the human species. The theory of evolution is an important factor that helps scientists, and ourselves, understand what Anthropology is all about. ... The last subfield in Anthropology is Linguistic Anthropology. ... In order to understand what Anthropology is all about we must understand the theory of evolution. Evolution simply means, "change over time," (Griffin 2002). ...

  • Word Count: 914
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Sub feilds of anthropology

Its traditional four sub fields (archaeology, linguistics, cultural, and physical anthropology) study human beings and human societies from a disciplinary perspective and from both evolutionary and humanistic points of view. Physical Anthropology Physical anthropology, also called biological anthropology, is the sub field of anthropology that focuses on the biological aspect of humans, especially how it relates to cultural practices, evolution, and the environment. ... Physical anthropology also focus on is the study of present-day human variation. ... Sources in Haviland states that, "Thos...

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3. Forensic Anthropology

There are primarily three subfields of anthropology, or three general areas into which the study of humans can be classified: Cultural anthropology, Archaeology, and Physical (or Biological) Anthropology. ... Physical or Biological Anthropology Physical (aka Biological) anthropology deals with the physical and biological aspects of the primate order: humans, chimps, gorillas, monkeys, prosimians, etc., past and present. ... While forensic anthropology is an applied field, a large majority of forensic anthropologists are physical anthropology professors developing their careers in a universit...

  • Word Count: 1527
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

4. Cultural Anthropology in a Globalizing World by B. Miller

Through biological means, or "physical anthropology", we study humans as organisms, specifically by evolution and variation. According to Barbara Miller's book, "Cultural Anthropology in a Globalizing World," anthropology encompasses three subfields; the first being "primatology" which is the study of the nonhuman members of the order of mammals called primates. the second is paleoanthropology which is the study of human evolution through the evaluation of fossil records. and the third subfield is the study of contemporary human biological variation, which explains di...

  • Word Count: 461
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5. Evolution vs Creationism

Evolution vs Creationism My roommate came in from anthropology class two weeks ago crying because she didn't know if she believed in God anymore. They had discussed Evolution that night and apparently had lots of proof that this theory is true. ... Chimps intelligence level is relatively retarded, so how could evolution explain the advancements of humans? ... During the first year, we are so helpless, parents have to provide a lot of support and physical contact. ... Among the obvious differences is our physical appearance. ...

  • Word Count: 825
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  • Grade Level: High School

6. Concept of Culture

The subfields are cultural anthropology, archaeology, linguistic anthropology, and physical anthropology. ... The final subfield, the study of human biology with a concentration between biology and culture, is physical anthropology. Most physical anthropologists study human evolution, focusing on the anatomy and physiology. ... Physical anthropologists derive their work from the belief that humans are primates, called primatology. There are also other fields within physical anthropology such as: osteology, paleoathology, and forensic anthropology. ...

  • Word Count: 549
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7. Final Anthropology Essay

Anthropology examines not only who we are as a people, but also, importantly, who we were as a people. ... Anthropology spans millions of generations, examining the physical and cultural characteristics of humankind. ... It is interesting to examine how the mechanisms of evolution shape the cultures and species over the passage of time, especially natural selection and the law of competitive isolation. ... Evolution selected for the larger brained species, but why? ... A culture's physical and social characteristics are interrelated, and play an important role in the development of a soci...

  • Word Count: 1714
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8. The four areas of Anthropolgy

They are physical anthropology, cultural anthropology, forensic anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. All of them serve a different purpose in our attempt to uncover our ancient ancestors evolution into Homo sapiens as we are seen today. ... I will first start with physical anthropology, which "focuses on humans as biological organisms" (Haviland 2003:10). ... "Another major specialty of physical anthropology is the study of present day human variation"(Haviland 2003: 10). ... Forensic Anthropology can be linked to physical anthropology due to the fact that...

  • Word Count: 454
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9. Silence Of The Lambs

There are primarily three subfields of anthropology, or three general areas into which the study of humans can be classified: Cultural anthropology, Archaeology, and Physical (or Biological) Anthropology. ... Physical or Biological Anthropology Physical (aka Biological) anthropology deals with the physical and biological aspects of the primate order: humans, chimps, gorillas, monkeys, prosimians, etc., past and present. ... While forensic anthropology is an applied field, a large majority of forensic anthropologists are physical anthropology professors developing their careers in a universit...

  • Word Count: 1527
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate