Introduction to Physical Anthropology, 9e Robert Jurmain Harry Nelson Lynn Kilgore Wenda Trevathan

Chapter 1, Introduction Key Terms

hominidae The taxonomic family to which humans belong; also includes other, now extinct, bipedal relatives. hominids Members of the family Hominid.

bipedalism Walking on two legs. A critical feature of the hominids. species A group of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring.

primate The order of mammals which includes humans, prosimians, monkeys and apes. evolution A change in the genetic makeup of a population from one generation to the next.

culture The strategy by which humans adapt to the natural environment. world view General cultural orientation or perspective shared by members of a society.

biocultural evolution 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. adaptation Response of organisms or populations to the environment.

anthropology The study of human culture and evolutionary aspects of human biology. ethnographies Descriptive studies of human societies.

artifacts Objects or materials made or modified for use by hominids. material culture Physical manifestations of human activities; includes tools, art, and structures.

paleoanthropology The study of human evolution. anthropometry The measurement of human body parts.

genetics The study of gene structure and action and the patterns of inheritance of traits from parent to offspring. primatology The study of nonhuman primates.

osteology The study of skeletons. paleopathology The study of the evidence of disease and injury in human skeletal remains.

forensic anthropology The analysis and identification of human remains. continuum A set of relationships in which all components fall along a single integrated spectrum.

science Body of knowledge gained through observation and experimentation. empirical Relying on experiment or observation.

data Facts from which conclusions can be drawn. quantitatively Involving measurements of quantity and including such properties as size, number and capacity.

hypothesis Provisional explanation of a phenomenon. scientific testing The precise repetition of an experiment or expansion of observed data to provide verification.

theory A broad statement of scientific relationships or underlying principles that has been at least partially verified. ethnocentric Viewing other cultures form the inherently biased perspective of one’s own culture.