Anthropology For Dummies
2nd Edition
Published on 8. April 2021
432 pages
978-1-119-78421-0 (ISBN)
Description
Study the science of all of us
Anthropology is the organized study of what makes humans human. It takes an objective step back to view homo sapiens as a species and ask questions like: Given our common characteristics, why aren't all of us exactly the same? Why do people across the world have variable skin and hair color and so many inventive ways to say hello? And how can knowing the reasons behind our differences--as well as our similarities--teach us useful lessons for the future? The updated edition of Anthropology For Dummies gives you a panoramic view of the fascinating fieldwork and theory that seeks to answer these questions--and helps you view the human world through impartial, anthropological eyes.
Keeping the jargon to a minimum, Anthropology For Dummies explores the four main subdivisions of the discipline, from the adventurous Indiana Jones territory of archaeology and the hands-on biological insights provided by our physical nature to the studious book-cracking brainwork of cultural and linguistic investigation. Along the way, you'll journey deep into our prehistory where we begin to differentiate ourselves from our primate relatives--and then fast forward into the possibilities of centuries yet to come.
* Explore the history of anthropology and apply its methods
* Get a deep, scientific take on contemporary debates such as identity
* Excavate the human past through new fossil discoveries
* Peer into humanity's future in space
Whether you're studying anthropology for school or just want to know more about what makes us humans who we are, this is the perfect introduction to humanity's past and present--and a clue to what we need to build a better future.
Anthropology is the organized study of what makes humans human. It takes an objective step back to view homo sapiens as a species and ask questions like: Given our common characteristics, why aren't all of us exactly the same? Why do people across the world have variable skin and hair color and so many inventive ways to say hello? And how can knowing the reasons behind our differences--as well as our similarities--teach us useful lessons for the future? The updated edition of Anthropology For Dummies gives you a panoramic view of the fascinating fieldwork and theory that seeks to answer these questions--and helps you view the human world through impartial, anthropological eyes.
Keeping the jargon to a minimum, Anthropology For Dummies explores the four main subdivisions of the discipline, from the adventurous Indiana Jones territory of archaeology and the hands-on biological insights provided by our physical nature to the studious book-cracking brainwork of cultural and linguistic investigation. Along the way, you'll journey deep into our prehistory where we begin to differentiate ourselves from our primate relatives--and then fast forward into the possibilities of centuries yet to come.
* Explore the history of anthropology and apply its methods
* Get a deep, scientific take on contemporary debates such as identity
* Excavate the human past through new fossil discoveries
* Peer into humanity's future in space
Whether you're studying anthropology for school or just want to know more about what makes us humans who we are, this is the perfect introduction to humanity's past and present--and a clue to what we need to build a better future.
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Dr. Cameron M. Smith has searched for early human fossils in East Africa, studied traditional hunting methods in Arctic Alaska, and more. His research has been published in The American Journal of Physical Anthropology and The Journal of Field Archaeology, and he is the author of An Atlas of Human Prehistory.
Content
INTRODUCTION 1
PART 1: WHAT IS ANTHROPOLOGY? 7
CHAPTER 1: Human Beings and Being Human: An Overview of Anthropology 9
CHAPTER 2: Looking Into Humanity's Mirror: Anthropology's History 17
CHAPTER 3: Actually, Four Mirrors: How Anthropology Is Studied 31
PART 2: PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND ARCHAEOLOGY 57
CHAPTER 4: The Wildest Family Reunion: Meet the Primates 59
CHAPTER 5: My Career Is in Ruins: How Anthropologists Learn about the Past 83
CHAPTER 6: Bones of Contention: The Fossil Evidence for Early Human Evolution 101
CHAPTER 7: It's Good to Be Home: Homo sapiens sapiens, Our Biological Species 125
CHAPTER 8: Hunting, Fishing, Sailing, and Sledding: The Dispersal of Humanity Worldwide 145
CHAPTER 9: Old, Old McDonald: The Origins of Farming 165
CHAPTER 10: The Development of Civilization 189
PART 3: CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND LINGUISTICS 213
CHAPTER 11: The Spice of Life: Human Culture 215
CHAPTER 12: From Kalahari to Minneapolis: How Cultural Anthropologists Work 233
CHAPTER 13: Can We Talk? Communication, Symbols, and Language 251
CHAPTER 14: Types of Types: Race and Ethnicity 271
CHAPTER 15: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? Identity, Family, Kinship, and Gender 287
CHAPTER 16: Not at the Dinner Table! Religion and Politics 305
PART 4: SO WHAT? ANTHROPOLOGY, THE MODERN WORLD, AND YOU 323
CHAPTER 17: Kiss or Kill? Diversity, Conflict, and Culture 325
CHAPTER 18: Looming Disasters? From Overpopulation to Space Debris 339
CHAPTER 19: Eve and the Iceman: The Cutting Edge of Physical Anthropology 355
CHAPTER 20: Stonehenge and You: Why Archaeology Matters 367
PART 5: THE PART OF TENS 379
CHAPTER 21: Ten Things to Remember About Anthropology, Whatever Else You Forget 381
CHAPTER 22: Ten Great Careers for Anthropology Majors 387
CHAPTER 23: Ten (Or So) Great Anthropologically Themed Movies and Books 393
CHAPTER 24: The Top Ten Myths about the Human Past 397
INDEX 405
PART 1: WHAT IS ANTHROPOLOGY? 7
CHAPTER 1: Human Beings and Being Human: An Overview of Anthropology 9
CHAPTER 2: Looking Into Humanity's Mirror: Anthropology's History 17
CHAPTER 3: Actually, Four Mirrors: How Anthropology Is Studied 31
PART 2: PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND ARCHAEOLOGY 57
CHAPTER 4: The Wildest Family Reunion: Meet the Primates 59
CHAPTER 5: My Career Is in Ruins: How Anthropologists Learn about the Past 83
CHAPTER 6: Bones of Contention: The Fossil Evidence for Early Human Evolution 101
CHAPTER 7: It's Good to Be Home: Homo sapiens sapiens, Our Biological Species 125
CHAPTER 8: Hunting, Fishing, Sailing, and Sledding: The Dispersal of Humanity Worldwide 145
CHAPTER 9: Old, Old McDonald: The Origins of Farming 165
CHAPTER 10: The Development of Civilization 189
PART 3: CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND LINGUISTICS 213
CHAPTER 11: The Spice of Life: Human Culture 215
CHAPTER 12: From Kalahari to Minneapolis: How Cultural Anthropologists Work 233
CHAPTER 13: Can We Talk? Communication, Symbols, and Language 251
CHAPTER 14: Types of Types: Race and Ethnicity 271
CHAPTER 15: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? Identity, Family, Kinship, and Gender 287
CHAPTER 16: Not at the Dinner Table! Religion and Politics 305
PART 4: SO WHAT? ANTHROPOLOGY, THE MODERN WORLD, AND YOU 323
CHAPTER 17: Kiss or Kill? Diversity, Conflict, and Culture 325
CHAPTER 18: Looming Disasters? From Overpopulation to Space Debris 339
CHAPTER 19: Eve and the Iceman: The Cutting Edge of Physical Anthropology 355
CHAPTER 20: Stonehenge and You: Why Archaeology Matters 367
PART 5: THE PART OF TENS 379
CHAPTER 21: Ten Things to Remember About Anthropology, Whatever Else You Forget 381
CHAPTER 22: Ten Great Careers for Anthropology Majors 387
CHAPTER 23: Ten (Or So) Great Anthropologically Themed Movies and Books 393
CHAPTER 24: The Top Ten Myths about the Human Past 397
INDEX 405
