Biological anthropology investigates humans as biological beings and asks how humans came to be the way they are. This lesson introduces the field, its historical development, and several broad areas of study that help explain human origins and variation.
Biological anthropology, also called physical anthropology or evolutionary anthropology, is one of anthropology's four major subfields. It looks to the deep past and uses biological and evolutionary evidence to explore human origins, the diversity of human bodies, and what humans share with other primates.
All flashcards
Biological anthropology
A field that uses biological and evolutionary evidence to study human origins, variation, and relationships with other primates.
Human biological variation
Physical and biochemical similarities and differences among human populations across time and space.
Paleoanthropology
The study of human-ancestor fossils and ancient material culture, including tools and artifacts.
Primatology
The study of living and fossil primates, including their physical and behavioral traits and environments.
Genetic anthropology
The use of DNA evidence alongside archaeological, historical, or linguistic evidence to investigate human origins, migration, or disease.
Quiz questions
What is a central aim of biological anthropology?Answer: Using biological and evolutionary evidence to understand human origins and variation.
What change did Sherwood Washburn's 1951 proposal for a “new physical anthropology” emphasize?Answer: Moving from racial classification toward the study of human evolution and evolutionary processes.
Why can comparisons with nonhuman primates help researchers study humans?Answer: Humans share common ancestry with other primates, so comparisons can illuminate shared and differing traits.
A researcher combines DNA results with archaeological evidence to investigate ancient migration. Which approach best fits this work?Answer: Genetic anthropology
Which distinction best describes bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology?Answer: Bioarchaeology commonly studies population patterns in archaeological contexts; forensic anthropology often investigates an individual in a death case.
Based on Introduction to Anthropology by Jennifer Hasty, David G. Lewis, Marjorie M. Snipes (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.