Human Evolution and PREHISTORY PART 1: THE STUDY OF HUMANKIND

Human Evolution and PREHISTORY Chapter One: THE NATURE OF ANTHROPOLOGY

What Do Anthropologists Do? How Do Anthropologists Do What They Do? Chapter Preview What is Anthropology? What Do Anthropologists Do? How Do Anthropologists Do What They Do?

THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY Anthropology is the study of humankind in all places and in all times Anthropologists are interested in all aspects of humanity and human nature

CANADIAN ANTHROPOLOGY Canadian archaeology and biological anthropology began in the 19th century with Daniel Wilson at the Canadian Institute in Toronto Museums, academic departments and applied research were major influences, e.g. The National Museum of Canada (now Museum of Civilization) Early research focused on aboriginal cultures and anthropologists were advocates for aboriginal rights, an important component of anthropology today

CANADIAN ANTHROPOLOGY Formal biological anthropology began with skeletal analyses, e.g. Daniel Wilson’s work on Inuit crania. In the 20th century biological anthropology grew to encompass such research as the evolution of the brain.

THE SUBFIELDS OF ANTHROPOLOGY

Biological Anthropology The branch of anthropology that focuses on humans as biological organisms

Palaeoanthropology The study of fossil remains with the goal of reconstructing human biological evolution

Primatology The study of the biological and social nature of our closest relatives: prosimians, monkeys, apes

Skeletal Biology The analysis and interpretation of bones

Forensic anthropology The application of human osteology and archaeology to the legal investigation of human remains

Archaeology The study of material remains and cultural features in order to describe and explain human behaviour ...this... Not this...

Archaeology Pre-contact (prehistoric) The study of human behaviour in the distant past using evidence such as fire hearths, tools, pottery Historic The study of cultures with historic documents available in order to supplement material remains left behind, e.g. fur trade sites

Canadian Archaeology Canadian archaeologists are typically found in Anthropology departments in universities Archaeology is broadening its foundation outside of Anthropology and the university e.g. “rescue” archaeology being conducted by the private sector in the face of development projects

Sociocultural Anthropology Understood through the concept of “culture” – the often unconscious standards, socially learned, by which societies operate Focus on human behaviour Avoidance of culture-bound theories Cross-cultural and long-term historical perspective

Linguistic Anthropology The study of human languages and the way language is used to practice, develop and transmit culture Historical linguistics the study of language origins and change, and the relationships between languages

Applied Anthropology Applying the knowledge and methods of anthropology to solve practical problems

Applied Anthropology Sociocultural, e.g. First Nations Land claim negotiations Archaeology, e.g. cultural resource management (CRM) Linguistics, e.g. language retention among First Nations Medical anthropology, e.g. work with traditional healers to reconcile practices with modern medicine Forensic anthropology, e.g. work with law enforcement agencies and medical examiners to recover, identify and contextualize skeletal remains

Medical Anthropology The use of theoretical and applied approaches from cultural and biological anthropology to the study of human health and disease Demonstrating connections between human health and political and economic forces, globally and locally

Ethnography Systematic description of a particular culture based on firsthand observation using: participant observation informants holistic perspective

ANTHROPOLOGY AND SCIENCE Science seeks to provide testable explanations for observed phenomena, by using imagination and skepticism We search for facts, observations verified by several skilled observers The explanations are called hypotheses The strongest hypothesis that cannot be disproven becomes a theory

The Strange Case of “Piltdown Man” ORIGINAL STUDY The Strange Case of “Piltdown Man” Was this the “missing link” or simply an ape jaw found close to a human skull? The “missing link” hypothesis was valid theory until the discovery of more fossils in the mid-20th century The second hypothesis has been confirmed, with the additional evidence of deliberate alteration of the bones

Risks of Culture-Bound Science The motivation to verify one’s hypothesis by overlooking negative evidence The problem of being culture-bound The question of the validity of one’s ethnographic account

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES Informed explanations are made within a set of assumptions that form a theoretical perspective Biological anthropology – evolution model Archaeology – settlement archaeology processual archaeology agency theory engendered archaeology

COMPARISON IN ANTHROPOLOGY Hypothetical explanations of cultural phenomena can be tested by comparing ethnographic, archaeological and/or ethnohistorical data Ethnohistory the study of cultures of the recent past through oral histories, through accounts left by explorers, missionaries, and traders; and through analysis of such records as land titles, birth and death records, and other archival materials Concern with reliability and objectivity of sources

ANTHROPOLOGY AND THE HUMANITIES Canadian anthropological research is mainly funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, National Science and Engineering Research Council Emphasis in anthropology is on qualitative more than quantitative research Most importantly, anthropologists are intensely involved with people

QUESTIONS OF ETHICS Canadian researchers are guided by the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS) on ethical conduct for research involving human subjects, with specific regard to aboriginal peoples There needs to be careful consideration of notions of privacy and public life, property and language differences

QUESTIONS OF ETHICS Anthropologists recognize obligations to three sets of people: Those whom they study Those who fund the research Those in the profession who expect us to publish our findings to further knowledge in the discipline

“Do No Harm” Canadian TCPS – free and informed consent is essential The Canadian Archaeological Association has principles of ethical conduct in regard to the archaeological heritage of Canada and to aboriginal peoples There is a Task Force on Museums and First Peoples for proper handling of museum collections and portrayal of First Peoples in museums

IMPACT ON CONTEMPORARY LIFE Global and holistic perspectives of anthropology provide the best means of understanding modern problems e.g. discrimination based on notions of race e.g. same-sex marriage

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