1. Human Evolution and PREHISTORY
PART 1: THE STUDY OF HUMANKIND

2. Human Evolution and PREHISTORY
Chapter One:
THE NATURE OF ANTHROPOLOGY

3. 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?

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. THE SUBFIELDS OF ANTHROPOLOGY

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

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

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

11. Skeletal Biology
The analysis and interpretation of bones

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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. 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

20. 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

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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. “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

31. 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

32. Methods Of Studying The Human Past
NEXT TIME:
Methods Of Studying The Human Past